Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza

In 1970, the Springer Corporation of Albuquerque submitted a bid to the Santa Fe Urban Renewal Board to develop and build a 153-room, $3.5-million Hilton-franchised motor hotel on the tract. Springer's bid called for the preservation of the Ortiz adobes.[3][4] The Springer bid was accepted, and the property was transferred in October 1971 for $390,607.[5] A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 1972 attended by Governor Bruce King. The main hotel building was a three-story, split-level structure designed by architect William W. Ellison in the city's traditional Territorial Style with 161 guest rooms.[1]

During construction, weaknesses in the historic adobes required rebuilding of several walls and replacement of some of the original adobe bricks. A retaining wall was also built to support the Nicholas Ortiz house.[6] The hotel was completed in January 1973 and became known as the Santa Fe Hilton Hotel Inn.[7]

In February 1974, the Santa Fe and Albuquerque Hilton Hotels were sold by Springer to Dallas-based Bridewell Development Corp.[8] The hotel underwent a $3-million renovation in late 1985.[9] The hotel was re-branded as the Hilton Santa Fe Historical Plaza in 2005.

It is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.[10]