The Orpheum building was constructed in 1898 and was first known as the Futrelle building, owned by W.V. Futrelle and home to the Futrelle Furniture Company. The Hotel Denver was located on the second floor. In 1911, most of the building was destroyed in a fire, but it was rebuilt as an Orpheum Theater, featuring motions pictures and vaudeville acts. The building operated as a theater only for a few years, but it saw many incarnations afterwards: it was a dancehall, the Viaduct Garage, a skating rink, Inter-City Bus Depot, and Superior Furniture. Superior Furniture remained open from 1952 to 1977, and during that time, the apartments upstairs were rebranded the “Superior Apartments.” After the store’s closure, the lower level of the building remained vacant while the apartments above remained occupied. Artist Martha Trolin purchased the building in 1980 and did an extensive renovation, as the building had fallen into disrepair. Trolin operated the building as an artist community, and it became known as “Five- Hundred Second Street.” It contained living and studio space, art galleries and a performance space for many years. Homewise purchased the historic building in 2017 and completed an extensive renovation. The building now serves as the Albuquerque Homeownership Center and Orpheum Community Hub. The renovation included performance space in the rear of the building, upgrades to affordable apartments on the second floor, and gallery space to honor the building’s former identity.
