t’s a penthouse with natural cork floors, handmade cherry cabinets, a rooftop garden, and fabulous city views. A private elevator restricts access to the entire floor. Work is only a block from here, so a car is practically superfluous; but just in case, a reserved parking space sits patiently just a few steps away. An adjacent hotel provides room service and maid service on request. And once a month, there’s coffee talk with fellow residents.

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Albuquerque anymore.

On the contrary. We’re in the penthouse condo of Casey Seis, one of the owners of Sauce and Raw, two adjoining night spots in Albuquerque’s reawakening downtown. Ten years ago, “downtown penthouse” was a New Mexico oxymoron. But this is the real deal, right down to the stunning predominance of burnished steel and black leather.

Seis’ place is one of seven attached to the outside of a new parking structure at Third and Copper. The building, tucked behind the historic La Posada Hotel, was designed by architect/developer Mark DePree. When Seis made his first offer in April 2002, his condo was a 20- x 60-foot concrete shell with 18-foot ceilings. Since then, he’s worked with DePree to create a unique pied-à-terre.

For the lucky few allowed access to the seventh floor, both elevator and stairwell open directly into Seis’ condo. DePree designed a pivoting copper wall to screen the utilitarian (a.k.a. unattractive) doors. Should unfortunately Armageddon-like conditions cause the formidable security systems to fail, this massive wall can be locked in place as an additional security barrier. Mostly, though, the mottled copper adds a touch of warmth.

 

 

 

 

There’s no hiding the fact that the condo is long and narrow, so the design works with the space rather than against it. From the front doors, visitors take in its open floor plan, which progresses from cozy sitting area to dining room to kitchen/bar. “It’s great for parties,” says the ebullient Seis.

DePree describes the interior as “New Mexico Urban,” an as-yet-undocumented architectural style. It won’t be confused with the state’s oldest condominiums, the cliff dwellings built by the Anasazi, the ancient ancestors of contemporary Pueblo peoples. But Seis has sleekened up and applied some traditional New Mexican materials throughout, so New Mexico Urban it is.

To read the complete story, please find Su Casa at your local newsstand or order it online here or by phone at 505-344-1783 or toll-free 866-256-4925.