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 After Its Heyday: La Posada’s Fate
La Posada opened May 15, 1930, just after the stock market crash of 1929, and remained open for just 27 years. In 1957, the hotel closed to the public. The museum-quality furnishings were auctioned off in 1959. In the early 1960s, much of the building was gutted and transformed into offices for the Santa Fe Railway. Several times over the ensuing 40 years, the building was nearly demolished, as recently as 1994 when the railway announced its plans to move out for good.
Saving a National Treasure
The National Trust for Historic Preservation found out about La Posada’s peril and put it on their endangered list — where it came to the attention of Allan Affeldt.
But La Posada was never for sale. Allan Affeldt purchased it from the Santa Fe Railway after learning through the NTHP that the property was in danger. He visited the hotel in 1994 and decided to help local preservationists save it. This daunting task entailed negotiating for 3 years with the railroad and resolving various legal, environmental, and financial obstacles. He established La Posada LLC to take on the enormous risk and complexity of the estimated $12 million restoration. Allan and his wife Tina Mion moved in April 1, 1997. Daniel Lutzick became the third partner and General Manager.
Although none of the partners is a hotelier by training, they have accomplished what once seemed impossible—transforming a forgotten but magical place into a living museum. Allan oversees the overall rehabilitation—design, architecture, financing, and planning. Tina, a renowned artist, paints in her studio upstairs; her art is now an integral part of La Posada’s experience. Dan, a sculptor, retired according to plan in 2003 and now operates Snowdrift Art Space down the street at 108 West 2nd.
Current Projects
Restoration efforts at La Posada are ongoing. We’re currently developing Colter’s vision for acres of public gardens to surround the hotel. Plans are posted in the entry hall. This work, well in excess of $1 million, will create one of the finest public gardens in the Southwest. To learn more, visit our Gardens section.
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