Palacio Azul

Zydeco’s monetary and time investments, originating with transitioning the previous developer’s bankruptcy filing and property neglect into an award-winning and notable historic renovation and restoration project, are consistent with the goals of both Zydeco and Santa Fe’s Historic Styles. This unwavering commitment to developing real estate that edifies community-held aesthetic values firmly demonstrates Zydeco’s affinity for beautifying the City of Santa Fe and preserving its historic neighborhoods.

Zydeco 66, Richard Yates, AIA. Zydeco master planned and developed a 1.2-acre site with 7-condominiums. The masterplan originally included 6- condominiums with carports. Zydeco’s masterplan increased the number of units to 7, including new bedrooms, portals, and garage additions. The primary vehicular and pedestrian entry was relocated to Alameda Street from Palace Avenue. Private exterior garden spaces were tastefully created in place of the existing driveways and vehicular circulation.

The Palacio Azul development proves Zydeco’s commitment to preserving the proud tradition of the pueblo and territorial architectural styles in Santa Fe’s historic district. Zydeco created unique places within the city’s contextual fabric using historical development patterns, such as courtyard, alley, and plaza concepts.

Unit Sizes: Unit 1: 2,066 SF • Unit 2: 2,594 SF • Unit 3: 5,352 SF • Unit 4: 957 SF • Unit 5: 3,181 SF • Unit 6: 2,794 SF • Unit 7: 2,409 SF

Zydeco worked with the City of Santa Fe to implement its proposed development plan and managed and constructed the entire development. Zydeco provided in-house architectural and engineering documents and managed a host of professional consultants on all seven units, the site work, and landscaping.

The project architectural and engineering scopes included a number of construction types and separations, such as wood framing, cast in place concrete, masonry, adobe, heavy timber, metal stud, steel, and slurry wall construction. The interior design scope included marine grade plaster in bathrooms, plaster and drywall surfaces, reclaimed wood, tile and stone wall and floor treatments. Unique detailing and management were needed for each unit’s custom woodwork, cabinetry, custom doors and one unit even has a custom 14-foot-high entry door and pedestrian gates. The unit kitchen and bathroom design included stone countertops. NANA wall systems were used in various locations to amplify an indoor-outdoor connection, where exterior spaces are realized as part of the overall living experience. A one-of-a kind antique farm elevator was redesigned and rebuilt in the field as a personal lift between floors.

Palacio Azul was the first project in the City of Santa Fe to use soil anchors in public right-of-way to construct a 75-foot retaining wall. Specialty water features were constructed that successfully integrate two fire department access stairways and introduce a new element into the development: The sound of running water. Extensive stone and masonry yard walls were constructed around the development’s entire perimeter for landscaping terraces and grade transitions and to provide an elevated sense of personal privacy. Extensive terracing is evident along the north, east, and west property lines, where grade changes are the most dramatic. Cast-in-place concrete and brick were used as paving surfaces. New pedestrian portal enclosures define two large vehicular plazas and evoke Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza, especially the famous Palace of the Governors portal. The grounds are extensively landscaped with native plants from the southwest. An extensive storm drainage and irrigation system were also installed. Zydeco voluntarily re-stuccoed two units because the previous developer’s exterior renovation work did not preserve the historic integrity of their exterior details.