Neighborhood Spotlight: Altura Park Part I
The Altura Park area, generally situated between Carlisle & San Mateo, and Indian School & Constitution, encompasses some very diverse neighborhoods (see Altura Historic Districts Map)is also adjacent to the Sandia Ridge neighborhood, which abuts Indian School to the north.
![Classic Mid-Century Modern in East Altura Park](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6065a9c1b3fd3c6a9cd8f5be/60f18f1282aa341a07e7476a_1108-Quincy-St-NE-300x225.jpeg)
Classic Mid-Century Modern in East Altura
According to the MetroABQs Survey of Mid-Century Modernist Architectural Resources, two sections of the Altura neighborhood could become designated as Residential Historic Districts (see Map on page 3). Thats big news in a city with only five historic districts. Mid-Century Modern homes encompass a percentage in Altura. A great example is directly above, at 1108 Quincy NE (1961)a property contributing to the neighborhoods Historic Character in Altura East. 1108 Quincy St NE is for sale: click to view the 3-D Virtual Walking Tour.
Mid-Century Modern aside, numerous other architectural styles live in the greater Altura area: Ranch style, Spanish Pueblo Revival, Territorial, Mediterranean, Italianate, Post Modern & Mid-Century Revival style.
![Altura Modernist Spanish Pueblo Revival](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6065a9c1b3fd3c6a9cd8f5be/60f18f12f09c3f1bf5f862e4_Altura-Pueblo-Revival-300x197.jpeg)
Above is an Altura Park modernist interpretation of the Spanish Pueblo Revival style: no vigas, but very organic forms & undulating lines, including the unique semi-obscured circular living area; below is a classic John Gaw Meem-inspired Pueblo Revival, with the vigas & formal lines. Both of these properties live across from Altura Park.
![Altura Classic Spanish Pueblo Revival Style](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6065a9c1b3fd3c6a9cd8f5be/60f18f12b5cc4c73d069246b_Altura-Classic-SPR-300x145.jpeg)
The two images below are Italianate style residence. As you can imagine, there are very few in existence here in the desert southwest. I had to look it up to understand the features; from architecturestyles.org:
Italianate style is very similar to Mediterranean, and is often two or three stories; low-pitched roof, widely overhanging eaves; ornamental cornices; tall, narrow windows, commonly arched or curved above; an occasional square cupola or tower, elaborate wrap-around porch, or smaller entry porch, with decorative Italianate double columns.
Below is a great Mediterranean style residence across from Altura Park.
![Altura Park Mediterranean](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6065a9c1b3fd3c6a9cd8f5be/60f18f12082178175bebb65e_Altura-Mediterranean-300x189.jpeg)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6065a9c1b3fd3c6a9cd8f5be/60f18f1208217840a5ebb65f_Altura-Italianate-1110x623.jpeg)