by Mark Thaler, AIA

Over its 117-year life, Montezuma Castle, designed by the Chicago architecture firm of Burnham & Root, had been a resort hotel, a Baptist college, and a Jesuit seminary. In between these incarnations, the New Mexico landmark had suffered periods of fire, abandonment, deterioration, vandalism, and occupation by assorted wild animals. In danger of structural collapse, it was designated one of the "11 Most Endangered" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1997.

Now, after renovations by our firm Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, Architecture & Engineering, P.C. (EYP), it has reopened as home to the Bartos Institute for Constructive Engagement of Conflict, part of the United World College.

EYP's design intent was to keep as much of the existing building fabric as possible, to strike an appropriate balance between preserving and restoring its historic qualities, and to create a fun, vibrant place for students.

The Renewed Facility

The building serves both as a college facility and as a place where conflict resolution diplomacy can take place out of the view of the world press. It houses a student recreation center on the ground floor, dining and meeting rooms on the first floor, and faculty apartments and dormitories on the second and third.   >>>

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The newly restored Montezuma Castle, designed by Burnham & Root in 1885 as a hotel, is now in use by the United World College. Photo: Chun Y. Lai Photography The restoration architects of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott revived a severely deteriorated structure. Photo: EYP   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.