Hope Building

The building at 220 West Gold Avenue was constructed in 1894 by Dr. Walter G. Hope to house his family and his medical practice. The upstairs living quarters were used by the Hopes until 1905, when they moved to a new home on Copper Avenue. Dr. Hope continued his medical practice on the first floor until 1909, when he moved his offices to the First National Bank Building Photographers Milton Porter and H.L. Neff operated their studio on the first floor between 1909 and 1911. In the decade between 1912 and 1922, hatters and dyers services were available on the first floor. The accompanying photograph was taken during that era, probably in 1913 to commemorate the opening of the Bryant Co. delivery service, located next door to the West. In 1918, the building was acquired by the de Baca family of Albuquerque who continued to own it until 1979. This record of long-term family ownership with a great variety of different tenants is typical of older downtown real estate. In 1923, the New Mexico State Tribune moved in and expanded the first floor with a 62 foot addition. The news paper was published in these quarters until 1925. During the next ten years, the first floor housed the Gilbert Electric Co. and a succession of furniture and second-hand stores. In 1935, the Logan Furniture Co. moved in and remained until 1947. In the fifties, the first floor was used as a cafeteria and a beauty school. Since 1963 it has been the home of the Simpson Rubber Stamp Company. 220 West Gold Avenue has played a role in Downtown Albuquerque's commercial life since Downtown sprang up around the newly arrived railroad. It is the second oldest building remaining Downtown, succeeded in age only by a neighboring adobe structure. Along with the large Yrisarri Block to the northwest, the Hope Building at 220 West Gold provides the last glimpse of the Central Business District's Victorian heritage. The Hope Building typifies in its architecture and history the post-railroad era of Albuquerque, New Mexico.