About This Old Building

What is it about old brick buildings?
A remnant thought from the “The Three Little Pigs” children’s story. It was after all the house made out of brick that stood after all the huffing and puffing!

The Central Hotel was built in 1909. The second floor operated as hotel lodging for it’s guests in it’s day, with the bottom portion as commercial leased space. It is not clear as to all the businesses that operated in the first floor spaces in the early years. A store by the name of Midway Mercantile was photographed in 1923, and years later this same space was known as Leo’s Pool Hall. Today, Central Parlour, LLC has created in the West space an open ballroom for hosting events and currently leases the East space to Jaramillo Vineyards wine tasting room. Any information or photographs that may reveal this building’s past are always welcomed by clicking here.
Chip Wyly and Lenora Jaramillo-Wyly purchased this building in it’s one hundred and second year, 2011. It was the day standing on the roof of this building as the roof sunk under their feet that the thought crossed Lenora’s mind that perhaps Chip was right; they may have bought a pile of historic bricks. It was a fleeting thought, however it was quite obvious the rescue needed to commence very soon, if this building was to continue to stand.
What qualifications did two artists have for such a project? None, just a love and a vision for an old brick building and an imagination that would carry them through it. They often asked themselves, “was this their mid life crises project.” They certainly hoped not, the joke between Chip and Lenora was “no fast cars honey, just an old brick building.” 
It was less than two months from the purchase of this hotel that the beginning of the rescue project would be put on hold as the movie “The Last Stand” would utilize the ballroom for the set of “Irv’s Dinner” in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. The rescue of the project was put off for the remaining 6 months of 2011. 
In all honesty there were times when they had their own doubts and certainly the procuring of an engineer is a story worth repeating...
The first engineer who consulted on the building’s restoration after a site visit and a few conversations, concluded “just demolish it and build whatever you want on the property”. With the second engineer they stood outside the front of the building awaiting his arrival, only to see him slow down, take a quick look and promptly drive off. A bit perplexed, the architect, Chip and Lenora looked at one another and said “I think that was the engineer.” He was never heard from again. The third one was indeed the charm, it was Jim Hands from Hands Engineering. Chip pulled out some wood flooring to give Jim a peek at what lay at the base of the brick walls. Between the massive footers and the 2” x 12” on 12” center rafters and joists, it didn’t take Jim too long before he said there is a reason this building is still standing and took the job. They were assured the building was going to be fine as he proceeded to tell a story of a building in Santa Fe made of adobe that had no footing. I don’t know if Jim Hands ever knew how much of a relief his words: “at least this building has a footing” were to the Wyly’s. Jim Hands was the engineer this historic building needed and the project was on.

I don’t believe it will be soon forgotten when Lenora‘s dad, Salomon Jaramillo, first learned they had purchased an “old” building in Belen. He asked on many occasions if he could see the building. The thought had crossed their mind that perhaps it would be best he didn’t. This concerns was verified the first time Lenora’s brother Robert came to see the building. They half-heartedly laughed and her brother Robert concurred that it would probably be best that dad didn’t see this place “just yet”. Well that wasn’t going to go over with dad, and sooner than later he insisted and the day came when he arrived for the grand tour. Lenora often wondered how he refrained from saying the obvious…..”por que´”..... “Why?” I don’t know if there would have necessarily been an answer for dad or at least a logical or sound answer at the time. Perhaps upon viewing some of the “before” pictures in the gallery below, you may have asked the same question. “Thank you dad for not stating the obvious”.
Donald Woodman and Judy Chicago, artists, neighbors and who’s residence and studio are in The Belen Hotel; a sister hotel built a few years earlier to the west of the Central Hotel. Donald and Judy were more than gracious, supportive and always willing to offer valuable advice gained through their own restoration of their historic Belen Hotel. They were most likely relieved that their neighbors would no longer be pigeons and bats!
A big thank to Steve Tomita at the Planning and Economic Development and Lisa Miller Zoning Enforcement Department from City of Belen who guided the project as questions and issues arose. Many thanks to Fox Builders, Billy and Rebecca and their staff who put the mortar back between the bricks, a grand new roof and everything in between. They say the devil is is the detail, not so, rather Tom Christopher was in the details with all of his exceptional wood work throughout this building. Thank you Tom and thank you for the many times you would offer solutions that saved the day. A thank you to all those who cheered the Wyly’s on, encouraging them to persevere, reminding them of the many reasons this place needed reviving. Finally a mighty big THANK YOU to the finest of friends that entered our lives many years ago, Jim and Debbie Perry. It is because of these two being there for the last push, the building received its certificate of occupation, and the front doors of this building were finally opened. They continue to care for and manage the overall building including booking and hosting events held in the ballroom.

Here is to another 100 years you old Central Hotel, may many more generations tell your story.

Chip Wyly and Lenora Jaramillo-Wyly, restorers and owners of Central Hotel, Central Parlour, LLC