Axton Apartment Redevelopment FAQs
Project Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Over the past 20 years, the opera-owned Axton Apartments have been utilized for housing up to 100 seasonal staff and Technical Apprentices each season. The Santa Fe Opera has submitted a formal application to rezone and eventually re-develop The Axton Apartments, located at 214 Camino De Los Marquez, Santa Fe, NM, 87505. This project is a significant step forward for the company, enabling the opera to accommodate more company members under its own umbrella while also contributing quality housing to the community during the opera’s off-season.
- What is the Santa Fe Opera’s plan for The Axton Apartments?
The Santa Fe Opera has submitted a formal application to rezone The Axton Apartments, located at 214 Camino De Los Marquez, Santa Fe, NM, 87505. The rezoning request is from R21 (21 dwelling units per acre) to R29 (29 dwelling units per acre). This change will allow the opera to address its growing housing needs and provide seasonal housing for its technical and singing Apprentices. Following the rezoning approval, we will enter the design phase and submit a development plan to the City of Santa Fe. - Who is managing the redevelopment project?
The Santa Fe Opera has engaged JenkinsGavin, Inc., a local development management firm, to manage the project and ensure continuous communication with all stakeholders throughout this multi-year, multi-phase process. - What is the current situation of The Axton Apartments?
- 50 units with 82 bedrooms: 18 one-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom apartments.
- 69 parking spaces.
- Provides housing to seasonal technical Apprentices, visiting staff and some year-round tenants.
- Technical Apprentices contribute a percentage of their earnings toward their housing, with SFO subsidizing the remaining cost.
- Singing Apprentices receive a housing stipend and must find their own housing, which is challenging in the current market.
- What are the details of the proposed redevelopment?
The proposed redevelopment will create a new 83-unit community, doubling the current capacity to 166 bedrooms. - What are the goals of the redevelopment project?
- Provide seasonal housing to all technical and singing Apprentices, approximately 120 people per season.
- Contribute to the overall housing inventory in Santa Fe. The project will offer market-rate housing to the Santa Fe community on long-term leases of up to six months.
- Ensure efficient use of resources with upgraded infrastructure and fixtures and improve living conditions for Apprentices and other tenants.
- Maintain good standing within the community through responsible planning and execution.
- Who does the redevelopment benefit?
The redevelopment of The Axton Apartments benefits multiple stakeholders:- Santa Fe Opera Apprentices: Both technical and singing Apprentices will benefit from high-quality housing, ensuring they have a comfortable and supportive living environment during their time with the Santa Fe Opera.
- Santa Fe Community: By increasing the overall housing inventory and providing housing for Opera staff so those individuals do not compete with others seeking housing in the Santa Fe market, the project contributes to alleviating the housing shortage in Santa Fe. Some units will be available as market-rate housing on leases for up to six months, benefiting local residents seeking housing.
- Local Economy: The Santa Fe Opera’s operations significantly impact the local economy, contributing over $250 million annually. The redevelopment project will create construction jobs and support local businesses, further boosting economic activity in the region.
- Will there be any affordable housing in the new development?
Given the project’s goals, setting aside units specifically for affordable housing is not feasible. However, the addition of new units will help increase the overall housing inventory in Santa Fe. Additionally, a fee in lieu of affordable housing will be paid to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support future affordable housing efforts. - What will happen to the current tenants during the redevelopment?
Current tenants were informed of the project in advance of the Early Neighborhood Notification (ENN) meeting. They have two years to make alternative housing plans for themselves. The Santa Fe Opera and JenkinsGavin, Inc. are committed to keeping current tenants informed and are working to minimize disruptions. - Will there be market-rate housing available? If so, what will the rental costs be?
Once the project is completed, there will be the potential for housing available to the Santa Fe community on long-term leases of up to six months. The final rental rates for the new units will be determined closer to the project’s completion, considering market conditions and operational costs at that time. - Will these be short-term or long-term rentals?
There will be no short-term rentals or Airbnb options. The focus is on providing stable, long-term housing solutions to support our Apprentices, local needs and our community partners. Leases will be a minimum of 30 days with opportunities to extend up to 6 months in the opera’s off-season. - How will traffic be managed during the redevelopment?
Traffic management plans will be developed in coordination with city planning to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding community. It should be noted that not all Apprentices will have a personal vehicle. The opera encourages carpooling and the use of public transportation. - Is the project within a historic district?
The Axton Apartments are not located within a designated historic district. The redevelopment will adhere to current zoning and planning regulations. - Why not build on the Opera’s grounds instead of redeveloping The Axton Apartments?
The Santa Fe Opera is located 7 miles north of the city, which presents several logistical challenges for our Apprentices. Many of our Apprentices do not have personal vehicles, and the opera’s remote location makes it difficult for them to access essential services and amenities independently. Redeveloping The Axton Apartments allows the Santa Fe Opera to utilize an existing residential site that is already integrated into the community, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution to address housing needs. The walkable location supports sustainable living practices by reducing the need for transportation and lowering the overall carbon footprint of our operations. - What will the impact be on trees and other vegetation?
The opera will strive to preserve as many trees as possible in the design of the project. The Santa Fe Land Development Code requires the replacement or relocation of significant trees that are removed to accommodate new development. - What are the plans for building height, and how will three stories impact the area?
A development plan is not part of the current rezoning application. The character, including height, of any specific future development on the property will be subject to the applicable discretionary review process and must meet all criteria related to compatibility with the existing development in the neighborhood. In the design process, the opera will consider the following:- Design Compatibility: The architectural design will be in harmony with the local style, ensuring that the new buildings complement the existing neighborhood character.
- View Preservation: The opera will work with architects and planners to minimize any obstruction of views, ensuring that the new buildings are as unobtrusive as possible.
- Increased distance from the neighboring properties.
- What are the noticing procedures for redevelopment projects?
The notification process for redevelopment projects is governed by city regulations and involves several structured steps:- Per city regulations, the opera began the notification process as soon as possible, with notice given to property owners, residents and neighborhood associations and signage posted to inform the community.
We are committed to maintaining transparency and will continue to provide updates as the project progresses. We encourage community members to attend upcoming meetings and stay informed through official channels at www.santafenm.gov.
For questions regarding the rezoning request and redevelopment project, please contact Jennifer Jenkins at jennifer@jenkinsgavin.com.
Learn more about the Apprentice Programs
The opera’s renowned Apprentice Programs provide training and career-making experience to more than 120 young professionals each season. Their contributions are integral to the company’s mission and operations.
For questions about the Santa Fe Opera or the Apprentice Programs, please contact Emily Doyle Moore at edoyle@santafeopera.org.