Luminaria Senior Community is an apartment community serving seniors 55 and older with low incomes. Luminaria is located on old Route 66 in the East Gateway Metropolitan Redevelopment Area of Albuquerque and was developed on the old Ponderosa RV and Mobile Home Park. The design features a contemporary aesthetic inspired by the vibrancy of the historic Route 66 by using color, lighting, building form, and signage to harken Route 66 in its heyday. External and internal murals and artwork also depict the nostalgia of Route 66. The community features a large community room with diner style seating, lounge, outdoor deck, a dog park, and walking paths. A bi-weekly on-site food pantry meets the needs of seniors on fixed incomes. On-site enrichment services include senior fitness classes, health screenings, Medicaid and Medicare application assistance, computer training, financial counseling, and social events.

Luminaria was completed in 2022 with funding by the City of Albuquerque and utilization of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Unique to Luminaria is the partnership with the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) who leased the public land to Luminaria. Sol Housing removed a dilapidated building and cleaned up and improved a site too difficult for typical commercial construction. The SLO considered this project an opportunity to utilize state land to provide solutions for long-term affordable housing while earning $1.7 million over 60 years for NM Public Schools.

Architect: Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
General Contractor: Jaynes Corporation
Development Costs: $17,441,967
Awards: 2022 NAIOP Awards of Excellence Senior/Assisted Living Merit Award; 2023 CoStar Impact Award Commercial Development of the Year, Albuquerque Market