DMC owner Douglas Maahs says the firm spent two years painstakingly restoring and remodeling the building to honor its history. Part of this work involved meeting the prevailing historic preservation requirements, which took a full year. Jon Dick of Archaeo Architects drew up plans for the project and Cathy Gammon of Catherine’s Custom Interiors served as interior designer.

The reimagining required extensive structural rehabilitation to return the adobe to its former grandeur and to transform the building into a commercial space. DMC also oversaw rebuilding and restoring the windows on the primary facade per historic codes and revealing and restoring vigas that had previously been concealed behind drywall. Water damage had destroyed floors, so they had to be rebuilt and hand-finished. DMC replaced the roof with a standing seam system.

Custom cabinetry and doors by La Puerta Originals and interior finishes by Cat Dog Walls thoughtfully evoke the craftsmanship of the past but are newly made. The space also now features modern amenities such as radiant floor heating and a forced-air system. Most of the commercial elements, such as electrical wiring, are hidden in the walls and invisible to visitors, who feel only the space’s homey ambience grounded in traditional Santa Fe style.