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Consultants find 821 North Milpas (former Taco Bell) not eligible for landmarking; commission accepts report
Summary
A Post Hazeltine report on the 1966 Taco Bell building at 821 North Milpas concluded the property does not retain sufficient integrity to qualify as a historic resource; the Historic Landmarks Commission accepted the recommendation at its March 26 meeting.
The Historic Landmarks Commission accepted a historic structures sites report on March 26, 2025, that concluded the former Taco Bell building at 821 North Milpas is not eligible for designation as a landmark, structure of merit, or for listing on the historic resources inventory.
Consultants Pamela Post and Tim Hazeltine described the building as an example of mid-1960s programmatic commercial architecture for a fast-food chain. Their report noted the original, iconic three-arched open façade and porch area were substantially altered by later additions and enclosure, which changed the building’s character and compromised the features that conveyed its original design intent. The consultants said the building retains some original materials and signage elements but not enough to convey the earlier programmatic design.
Commission discussion referenced other, more intact regional examples of programmatic Taco Bell architecture and noted nostalgia alone is not a preservation standard. The commission voted to accept the report’s conclusion that the property is not eligible for designation. The motion to accept the report carried on a roll-call vote with all commissioners recorded in favor.
Staff will file the consultant report in the project record; owners and interested parties may refer to the report for documentation of the building’s history and alterations.
