Archive for the ‘Santa Fe Downtown’ Category



Emerging artist Phillip Vigil lands new home at downtown Santa Fe Gallery

Posted Wednesday October 21 2009 by in Art, Art Galleries, Santa Fe Downtown
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philpaintingPhillip Vigil swept into our lives last Spring via Facebook. Focused and prolific, Phillip has been a one-man band of production and promotion, furiously churning out work all the while gathering its audience.  Less than a year later–three years since he began his career in earnest, he has scored the big score: a new home in a downtown gallery smack on Santa Fe’s historic Plaza. And what a nice home it is, with tall ceilings, wood floors, and a bounty of fine creative work, from paintings, to sculpture to jewelry, rugs, pottery and more: a good nest for a fourth generation artist whose childhood home walls were lined with family generated art.

Self-taught, but not uneducated, Phillip has studied the words and works of numerous artists before him. His pieces are riffs spun of many influences: twenty century modernists, admired contemporaries, current events–personal and public–and his own internal instincts and ideas. But although he’s long been an artist in heart and mind, it wasn’t until he began to believe himself that his career gained traction.

“No one really took me seriously….I had to believe before everyone would.”  Then, like the eponymous protagonist of Billy Elliot–a character Phillip calls a “true inspiration”–Phillip faced down all doubts with his dance: a fury of pastels, charcoal, paint and collage.  With mind, heart and muscle, Phillip has earned his place in the Santa Fe Art Scene.

If you’re in Santa Fe, step over to Shiprock Gallery, AKA Shiprock Trading Post, and check out Phillip’s new work. You’ll enjoy the venue and a chance to witness the arc of a strong and generous talent.DSC00739

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UPDATE:

On August 14th, 2010, from 6-8:30 PM, head over to Shiprock Gallery, on the Plaza for an Opening Exhibition of Phillip Vigil’s work.  Look for experiments and vectors of future directions.

Real estate agents Malissa Kullberg and Joshua Maes, AKA Changing Gallery, use their listings, where appropriate, to showcase the art, photography, sculpture and other creations of emerging and independent talents. Artists receive 100% of the proceeds from any sale. For up-to-date market info and full access to the MLS, visit: Santa Fe Real Estate Downtown.

Barrio La Canada, Santa Fe: more neighborhood details

Posted Tuesday October 13 2009 by in Real Estate, Santa Fe Downtown, Santa Fe Neighborhoods
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Barrio la CanadaFollowing on the heels of my previous post, Santa Fe Neighborhood Quick Sketch: Barrio La Canada, this post offers more nuts-and-bolts information on the Barrio La Canada neighborhood in downtown Santa Fe:

The local elementary school is the once struggling  Larragoite STEMM, now a magnet school, which has partnered with the University of New Mexico, Highlands University, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, to reinvent itself.   Through “rigorous and relevant instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”, it aims to focus on “real-world problem solving centered on themes of community, caring, and wellness.”

Barrio La Canada’s middle school is DeVargas; its high school is Capitol. The International Baccalaureate School, Desert Academy, is across the street.

Agua Fria, which runs parallel to neighborhood’s southern expanse, provides easy access to area shopping and dining. Two good nearby restaurants are The Tune Up Cafe and Counter Culture. Payne’s Nurseries north store is just 1/2 block south of the entrance to Barrio La Canada, on Camino Alire.

At this writing, there are just three active listings in Barrio la Canada, priced from $215K-325K. Two have three bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1090 to 1701 square feet; the third has a whopping 5 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2462 square feet.  In the last four months, three other listings have expired. The two houses that sold within the past six months are fairly typical of the area: a four bedroom, two bath home with a garage conversion and minor upgrades that sold for $239,000 and a three bedroom, two bath 1172 square foot fixer upper that sold for $175,000.Bridge

If you’re interested in this neighborhood, don’t try to find listings by the name of the subdivision (since it’s called both “Barrio la Canada” and “Barrio de la Canada”.)  Search by streets, or have your agent search in both areas 2 and 4N as listing agents do not consistently assign their properties to one area.

For census data and statistical information on the neighborhood, go to: City-Data.

For up-to-date information on Barrio La Canada’s real estate market, go to: Santa Fe Real Estate Downtown.

Santa Fe Neighborhood Quick Sketch: Barrio La Canada

Posted Tuesday September 15 2009 by in Real Estate, Santa Fe Downtown, Santa Fe Neighborhoods
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Location, community, possibility–that’s my REALTOR’S gut take on Barrio La Canada: a neighborhood I can’t claim to know, but plan to discover. I sense that Barrio la Canada is a good, longterm bet for a home purchase in greater downtown Santa Fe, and here’s why:  It’s quiet, but not without activity.  Its park, The John F. Griego Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Park, gets good use from kids and picnickers.

I’ve heard residents describe Barrio La Canada as a typical Santa Fe melting pot: young, old, newcomers, longtimers, families, couples and singles  with a range of personal interests and professions.   Many homes are in original condition–an open opportunity to create equity with some sweat, savvy and cash–and some gentrified, for those who don’t have skills or stomach for remodeling. There are also a few pockets of new construction.

The Santa Fe River, which forms the neighborhood’s northern boundary, gives the community charm and definition.  Homes on the north side of Paseo de la Conquistadora benefit most from the physical buffer to nearby Alameda, the beauty of the riverbed and, when the river is running, the lyrical sound of flowing water.

*~*~*~ BARRIO LA CANADA UPDATE, JULY 22, 2010 *~*~*

Click the link to get details on the renovation to Barrio la Canada’s entrance.

For up-to-date information on Barrio La Canada’s real estate market, go to: Santa Fe Real Estate Downtown.

Neighborhood Market Watch: Casa Alegre

Posted Wednesday August 26 2009 by in Real Estate, Santa Fe Downtown, Santa Fe Neighborhoods
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Cactus Color2.5 miles from the Plaza  is another desirable denizen of downtown Santa Fe, Casa Alegre. A residential oasis close to the bustling heart of Santa Fe, Casa Alegre strikes a winning balance between access to the action and serene removal.  Although bounded on the south by Cerrillos, one of the city’s major commercial arteries, Casa Alegre is a relatively quiet neighborhood characterized by mature trees and solidly built, older homes.  As with Casa Solana, many of the area’s homes were built by Allen Stamm (see profile in the 7/22/09 blogpost) Stamm’s classic, pueblo structures– icons of Santa Fe Style–commonly include vigas, wood floors, nichos, corbels, kiva fireplaces,  and portals.   Since the original homes in Casa Alegre were often under 1000 square feet, many residents have chosen to convert their garages to bring their home’s square footage more into line with modern tastes.

There are plenty of  good restaurants and desirable services in the vicinity. Special mention to the restaurants  India House, El Parasol, and The Pantry. The College of Santa Fe’s much loved movie theater, The Screen, is within comfortable walking distance. For more info on area amenities, go to Walkscore.com where you can check out the Casa Alegre Neighborhood’s Walkability Score (86 out of 100) as measured from our current listing at 1837 Kiva (MLS#904396).

The three public schools that serve the area are:  Salazar Elementary;  DeVargas Middle School and Santa Fe High School.  Frenchy’s Field– a popular walking park–lies opposite the area’s northern border.   Ashbaugh Park defines the eastern border and Gregory Lopez Park is tucked at the corner of San Felipe and Hano Rd.

Visit CityData.com for a detailed statistical profile of the Casa Alegre subdivision.

At this writing, there are 11 Active listings, 1 Pending on the market in Casa Alegre, ranging in price from $229,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1 Bath with 1350 sq.ft. home to $499,00 for a 3/2 with 2,220 sq. ft.  Since January 1st, 7 homes have sold.  Most (57.1%) were on the market for more than 120 days prior to their sale, reflecting the time of year as well as the slower state of the market over that time period. 42.9% sold within 60 days of their listing for an average of 95.85% of their asking price.  Statistics are only part of the picture, but from our professional perspective, Casa Alegre has shown itself to be a strong investment and is likely to remain so.

Neighborhood Market Watch: Casa Solana

Posted Wednesday July 22 2009 by in Real Estate, Santa Fe Downtown, Santa Fe Neighborhoods
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Black Hollyhock

Close to the Plaza, comparatively affordable, blessed with broad streets, mature trees and an old-fashioned neighborly feel, Casa Solana is one of our top picks for a first home, trade-up or investment in downtown Santa Fe. Located about a mile west of the Plaza, Casa Solana’s streets finger northward from West Alameda toward the neighborhood’s apex at Alamo/Camino de las Crucitas. (The Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park, a popular, off-leash dog play place for pooches, sits on the neighborhood’s upper border.) To the west is “Temblon” (which means “shaky, trembling” and, by extension, “Aspen” in Spanish). On Casa Solana’s southern border, above the Santa Fe riverbed, is Alto Park with tennis and basketball courts, a playing field, pool and bike paths (The mushroom water feature in the kiddie pool is a big hit with the tots.) On the opposite side of the street, about a block in from St. Francis, is the Casa Solana shopping center: a small strip mall with a variety of useful services including La Montanita Coop (groceries), a laundromat and five distinct restaurants: Annapurna (Chai house and Ayurvedic cuisine); Xiclo (Vietnamese); Masa Sushi, La Dolce Vita (italian/pizzeria) and Home Run Pizza. Other tenants include the Solana barbershop, Undisputed Fitness (gym), a Pak, Ship and Mail outlet, Stag tobacconists, Emmanuel’s Picture Frames and Straight-shooting Technologies. During the Spring and Summer, the center hosts the Santa Fe Artists’ market. Community services include Gonzales Elementary (more info at Great Schools.Net, Gonzales Elementary) and Police Substation #4 and reserve fire station. Casa Solana community pool, located at 1125 N. Plata Circle is open to all, although the number of memberships is limited.

The subdivision itself was established around 1950 with a cache of homes by Allen Stamm, beloved local builder. From the Santa Fe Living Treasures website:

“A visionary as well as a man of immense integrity, character, compassion and humanity…[Stamm] worked always to make [the homes he built] livable, durable, handsome, architecturally sensitive…. His homes featured hardwood floors, vigas, kiva fireplaces, nichos and other traditional touches, plus superlative workmanship. What they did not have was front-yard fences, for Stamm wanted the people living in his houses to know each other. He hired women consultants to design the kitchens. He made places for Christmas trees and highchairs, and built garages that were easily converted into bedrooms for growing families…. He elevated the building industry’s standards, here and throughout the state.

With home values as low as the mid two’s Casa Solana is one of the most affordable neighborhoods close to classic downtown Santa Fe. At this writing, there are just six homes on the market in this desirable neighborhood, priced from $275,000-369,500, all three bedroom/two bath single family homes from 1,105-1530 square feet. Since January 1 of 2009, ten homes in Casa Solana have sold. The average sales price was 95% of the listing price.

Visit City-data.com for a detailed statistical profile of the Casa Solana subdivision.

Point of interest: current Santa Fe Mayor, David Coss, grew up in Casa Solana.

The sincerest token of our respect and affection for the value and liveability of Casa Solana? In 2008, we bought a home here. My business partner, Joshua Maes, had previously sold two listings in Casa Solana. We walk our dogs here and regularly ride our bikes up and down its undulating streets. If you’re interested in buying or selling in Casa Solana, let us put our knowledge to work for you.

For up-to-date info on the Casa Solana neighborhood real estate market, go to: Santa Fe Real Estate Downtown.

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To Market, to Market

Posted Friday July 3 2009 by in Santa Fe Downtown
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Santa Fe New Mexico

Santa Fe ranks among the The Top Ten Housing Markets for the Next 10Years, according to a US News and World Report article published last month. The rankings were based on a Moody’s Economy analysis of employment data, population figures and industry trends in 384 distinct metropolitan statistical areas. The eclectic assembly starts with Bermerton-Silverdale, Washington and ends in Decatur, Illinois. Santa Fe itself is tucked modestly between Sandusky Ohio and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It’s a basket of apples and oranges. But on the short list of cities whose economies are considered sufficiently diverse and vigorous to bode growth, Santa Fe is a relative plum for its rich vein of culture, excellent restaurants, recreational activities and fabulous weather.

Many people assume they cannot afford a home in Santa Fe. And while it’s true that property values tend to run high and that we haven’t suffered the bottomed-out prices and foreclosures of many locales around the country, there are an impressive number of affordable properties on the Santa Fe Market right now. Combine those with low interest rates and, for first-time home buyers, the $8000 tax credit and you have a golden moment to grab a slice of the City Different.

At this writing there are over 219 single family homes, condos and townhomes priced under $250,000 available within the city limits–46 of these are single family homes. Drop the price point to $225,000 and the total number of homes is still 169 of which 20 are single family homes. Add Area 13, off Airport Road (an area which straddles city and county and was, therefore, left off the original reckoning) and the number of homes under $250K grows by an additional 59 homes of which 54 are single family dwellings, starting as low as 169 K.

Currently, we have three active listings priced under $200,000. 1713 Calle de Oriente Norte , listed at $148,900, is a sun-filled corner unit that shines with fresh paint and the owners’ loving care. The enclosed patio off the kitchen is ideal for al fresco dining or as a play area for toddlers or dogs. With a small terrace off the East-facing Master, plenty of storage and an office nook, this pleasant, modestly priced home is a terrific value.

111 East Santa Fe Ave., unit #3 and unit #4 offer affordable luxury just two blocks from the Plaza. These renovations of a original 1912 Pueblo Deco structure blend the best of contemporary beauty and Old World grace. Jaw-dropping granite counters, appliances by luxury vendors like ASKO and Sub-Zero, designer finishes, good storage, and smart floor plans make these small but exquisite units little miracles of comfort, convenience and visual appeal.

To Market, To Market to buy a fat pig

Home again, home again, jiggety jig….

–Mother Goose

HOUSING MARKET UPDATE, July 2010:

Bloomberg Businessweek report places Santa Fe among Housing Markets That Will Be Strongest By 2014 Click the link to read the full article.

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For full access to the MLS, visit our website at www.santafedowntownrealestate.com. Or to obtain straight-shooting, experience-backed advice on buying or selling a home in Santa Fe, please contact me, Malissa Kullberg, or my business partner, Joshua Maes via phone, text or e-mail.

Santa Fe Downtown Digs and Doings

Posted Thursday December 11 2008 by in Art, Art Galleries, Local Events, Santa Fe Downtown, Santa Fe Restaurant Reviews
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My first encounter with Santa Fe was in the Spring of 1980, when I flew out to visit a friend. On the shuttle from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, I couldn’t take my eyes off the vast, color-saturated sky and the roughly textured land, an interplay of greens and browns. Back then, there was hardly a car on the road between the airport and the Capitol City. I could as much as set my cruise-control, crawl into the back seat for a nap, and wake up an hour later, safely at my destination.

Santa Fe has changed over the past 28 years, but the land is still vast and magnificent and the city still charming in physical appearance and breadth of cultural offerings. For the third year in a row, the readers of American Style voted Santa Fe the #1 arts destination in the top 25 small cities and towns category. In 2007, Sperling’s Best Places and Business Week awarded Santa Fe second place in The Top 10 places for artists.

Yet the factors that make Santa Fe attractive to artists–a diverse and fairly youthful population, the number and variety of museums, the amount of dance, theater, film, symphony, chamber and choral music, the quality of photographic and Fine Arts education, and other cultural offerings–make it a terrific place for all of us.

Three weeks ago, SantaFe.com held its first Economic Forum whose purpose was, in the words of moderator, Michael French, to examine and address “…how all this turmoil will specifically affect our economy, and what we can do together to survive and even prosper.” Each member of the Panel was chosen to offer a different take on the proverbial elephant. Though hardly definitive, there was a good effort to provide balance and an opening dialogue.

If I see a silver bullet solution to the question of what we can do to survive and prosper in these economically crazy times, it is this: to see, celebrate and support the tremendous creative resources we have in our little town. As someone who grew up immersed in the arts of two, culturally rich Midwestern cities, Minneapolis and Chicago, I believe in power of the creative sector to give a community dignity, cohesion, vitality and internal wealth.

Santa Fe isn’t perfect. Like any place-or any person-there are things to love and things that frustrate. But what impresses me so deeply, what has brought me back time and again and caused me to adopt this place as my hometown, is its spirit: creative, hungry, at times conflictual, but richly resourceful.

So that’s what this blog is going to be about: things, people, places and events that give Santa Fe its special character. We’ll also talk about real estate because that’s our bread and butter and something we know a lot about. Check out our website at: santaferealestatedowntown.com. Thanks for reading.

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