Our Buildings

A Historic Renovation Just Steps from the Plaza

Just two blocks from the historic Santa Fe Plaza sits the Washington Inn, a site rich with local legacy. This storied site was once the estate of Levi A. Hughes, a prominent businessman who left his mark on Santa Fe in the early 1900s. A successful wool buyer, Vice President of First National Bank and co-founder of Santa Fe Builders Supply (Sanbusco), Hughes’ private estate was located at 215 Washington Avenue (the site would later have its address changed to 220 Otero Street), and included a large house, swimming pool, a tennis court and gardens.

Our Buildings

New Ownership

After Hughes’ passing in 1934, the estate changed hands in 1950 when it was purchased by Robert E. McKee, a major figure in Southwestern construction. McKee played a key role in the Manhattan Project, overseeing rapid development in Los Alamos during World War II. In the years that followed, he continued to shape the region, building key facilities in Santa Fe—including new wings of the state capitol and the original St. Vincent’s Hospital. (Photo Courtesy of the Santa Fe New Mexican)

Our Buildings

Building a Legacy

McKee commissioned renowned local architect Willard C. Kruger, known for his Spanish-Pueblo and Territorial Revival styles, to design his Santa Fe headquarters. Completed in 1953, the building was hailed by The Santa Fe New Mexican as “the model of modern office planning.” (Photo Courtesy of the Santa Fe New Mexican).

Our Buildings

New Ownership

By the late 1960s, McKee’s operations had largely moved out of Santa Fe. The property was acquired in the early ’70s by the Goodwin Trust, and later leased to Territorial Abstract & Title Company. (Photo Courtesy of John W. Murphey)

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Into the 21st Century

In 1992, Dan Terrell, president of the title company, purchased the building himself. The site remained under his ownership until 2016, when it was sold to the current developers of the Washington Inn. (Photo Courtesy of John W. Murphey)

Our Buildings

In Honor of Our History

As a tribute to those who helped shape the property and the community around it, the Washington Inn has named its four buildings after these key figures: Hughes, McKee, Kruger, and Terrell. Their stories are woven into the foundation of the site—and now, into the fabric of the Inn’s legacy.

A Refined Balance of History and Modern Design

The original 1950s design by McKee was a then-modern Territorial design. Today, the refreshed exterior honors that heritage while refining its expression—eliminating clutter yet preserving signature details such as the brick dentilled topping, occasional stacked-stone accents, and clean, crisp lines.Wood trim has been replaced with metal, and new contrasting colors lend the façade a heightened sense of drama and presence.

Inside, the suites echo this thoughtful balance of tradition and renewal. Four distinct interior themes draw inspiration from design motifs common to the Territorial era, while eclectic furnishings reflect the wider world of travel that was opening up during that time. The spaces celebrate a blend of art traditions—from folk to modern—with Oriental and Native American rugs adding warmth and vibrancy against crisp white walls and polished wood floors.