Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

Federal Building
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
N.M. State Register of Cultural Properties
The 1930 Federal Building
Location	421 Gold Ave. SW Albuquerque, New Mexico
Coordinates	35°5′2″N 106°39′8″W / 35.08389°N 106.65222°WCoordinates: 35°5′2″N 106°39′8″W / 35.08389°N 106.65222°W
Area	0.2 acres (0.081 ha)
Built	1930
Architect	James A. Wetmore
Architectural style	Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Other, Mediterranean Style
NRHP Reference #	80002533[1]
NMSRCP #	700
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 22, 1980
Designated NMSRCP	October 20, 1978[2]

The Federal Building and United States Courthouse, built in 1930, is a historic landmark located at 421 Gold Avenue SW in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is part of the complex of federal buildings on Gold Avenue that includes the Old Post Office, Dennis Chavez Federal Building, and the Federal Building at 517 Gold SW.

The imposing six-story building, faced with limestone and buff-colored terra-cotta tile in a brick pattern with molded inlays, is topped with a Mediterranean-style red tile roof and a domed cupola. The cornerstone of the Federal Building lists James A. Wetmore as the architect. However, it is unlikely that Wetmore, who was the Architect of the Treasury and was not a trained architect, designed the building.^[3]

The lobby of the Federal Building contains a mural by Loren Mozley titled The Rebellion of 1680 which depicts the Pueblo Revolt. Another mural, Justice Tempered with Mercy by Emil Bisttram, adorns the wall outside the District Courtroom on the sixth floor. This historically significant courtroom was used by the U.S. District Court until it relocated to the Dennis Chavez Building in 1965. The courtroom was restored to its original appearance in 1981.^[3]

The Federal Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Trivia

• This building appeared several times in the 2004 thriller Suspect Zero.

References

1. National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. "New Mexico State and National Registers". New Mexico Historic Preservation Commission. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
3. "U.S. Courthouse, Albuquerque, NM". U.S. General Services Administration. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

External links

• Federal Building (Emporis)