architecturally unique building in downtown albuquerque to see renovations

Located at 119 3rd Street SW and designed by noted architect Henry C. Trost, the Occidental Life Building is one of the most unusual looking structures in downtown Albuquerque.

Opened in the late summer of 1917 and described at the time by the Albuquerque Journal as “the most artistic office building in the southwest,” the structure is known for its Venetian Gothic Revival style.

The 26,000 square-foot structure has through the years provided office space for a number of law firms and businesses, including most recently Resilient Solutions 21, which moved into the building late last year.

Now the information technology services company, popularly known as RS21, has announced plans to expand its current 4,700 square foot space within the Occidental building.

To that end, the company has secured $800,000 in Local Economic Development Act funds, approved by members of the Bernalillo County Commission, to help pay for the expansion effort.

As currently planned, RS21, which provides user-friendly data analytics to private companies, government agencies, and cities, will build out just under 2,500 square feet of new office space in the structure for the first phase of its expansion.

The second phase will see the building out of another 5,100 square feet.  According to county documents, the each phase is expected to take around six to eight months to complete.

The LEDA funding for the project will specifically apply to construction, engineering, Internet infrastructure, and design expenses associated with the expansion.

With a current staff of some 20 employees, the expansion is expected to result in the hiring of an additional 80 people.

By Garry Boulard

---