Taos Inn sold
Denver-based firm buys iconic landmark
TAOS — Denver-based IMPRINT Hospitality announced Tuesday it has bought the historic Taos Inn with plans to renovate the landmark hotel over the next two years.
Also announced Tuesday was the unrelated sale of the Kachina Lodge in Taos to the M&M Partnership, a family of hoteliers from Birmingham, Alabama. M&M took over the lodge on Jan. 2 and is already moving into transition and restoration mode, according to a news release on the deal.
Alexandra Walterspiel, managing partner of IMPRINT, the company that took over the Taos Inn, said in a news release that the company will make upgrades to the hotel but that the property will maintain its signature southwestern charm. Walterspiel said IMPRINT also plans on updating the inn’s Doc Martin’s Restaurant.
“Rest assured all upgrades will be made to reflect the Inn’s character, ambiance and cultural authenticity,” Walterspiel said. “Our over- arching intention is to ensure that the Historic Taos Inn never loses its moniker of ‘the Living Room of Taos.’”
IMPRINT did not say how much the company paid for the inn. The Journal reported last June 2018 that it had been listed for $7.1 million.
The 44-room inn will get new furniture and fixtures, including lighting, carpeting and artwork, with an aim to create a fresh new feel that maintains the inn’s warm old-world New Mexico charm, the news release said.
According to its website, the Taos Inn opened in 1936 as the Hotel Martin. It was named after Dr. Thomas Paul “Doc” and Helen Martin, who came to Taos in the 1890s. Dr. Martin had his practice in what is now the restaurant.
Helen Martin purchased the surrounding buildings when her husband died and enclosed a plaza in the center of the properties.
This is the first time the inn has changed hands in 29 years.
“From the moment we first saw the Taos Inn, we fell in love with its charming and welcoming character,” Walterspiel said in the release. “The fact that there’s such a strong tie in to the local community gave us a very comfortable feeling. When the opportunity presented itself to be a part of this iconic property, we immediately seized it.”
Tim House, managing director of SVN Team Southwest of Albuquerque, said M&M acquired the Kachina Lodge for just under $3.3 million.
“This property was placed on the market in late June because the original owners had gone into Chapter 11 (bankruptcy),” House said. “The new owners are looking at renovating over a five-year period since the property spans 7.1 acres.”