KiMo Theatre

KiMo Theatre Review

When the KiMo was built, in 1927, Route 66 was barely established and running on its original alignment: north-south on 4th Street. Downtown was the center of activity, and movie palaces were the national rage. Local merchant Oreste Bachechi saw his moment, and hired architect Carl Boller to design a theater that would reflect the local zeitgeist. And that he did. Decorated with light fixtures made from buffalo skulls (the eye sockets glow amber in the dark), Navajo symbols, and nine spectacular Western-themed wall murals by Carl Von Hassler, the KiMo represents Pueblo Deco at its apex. Luckily, it was saved from the wrecking ball in 1977, and now, fully restored, it stands—one of the few notable early-20th-century structures remaining in Downtown Albuquerque. The self-guided tour is a must (guided tours can also be arranged by appointment), or, even better, catch a live performance.