Murder Mystery Dinner Event - The Spy House
The Heritage House History was built around 1907 in Albuquerque, New Mexico's Historic Huning Highland addition. The historic district got its name from Franz Huning, one of the developers of the district. This district was developed to accommodate the many individuals moving to Albuquerque from the east in the 1800s when the railroad came to Albuquerque. This accounts for the more Victorian style of the home, which is unusual for this area due to the heavy influence of the Southwest adobe style. It is a Dutch colonial home that is known as the "Simpson House" in some records because the Simpson family was one of the longer owners of the home. They owned the house from 1922 till 1950. But the house has had a variety of owners from physicians and telegraph operators to employees of the surrounding hospitals. From the records we have found the house has always been a single family home. Something rare for many of the homes in this historic district.
The Grants acquired this home in 2004, and they immediately began a very extensive restoration on the property. Much of the plaster on the interior walls of the house needed repair, which they first attempted, and then began to realize that much of it was just going to have to be removed. Since the plaster was removed they were then able to insulate the walls. This was only the beginning to a very labor intensive renovation. They did everything from stripping several layers of paint off of the stairway to having the floors sanded and restored to their original beauty. To give the house some of the modern conveniences, they also put in new central heat and air in every room of the house as well as running cable to each room so that their guests can enjoy their own TV.
After most of the renovations were done, they began to collect antiques and decorate each of the rooms. Kara personally took on this task by carefully selecting colors and fabrics that would create a unique feel in each of the rooms. Each room has been decorated with special finishes and touches. She then personally made the bedding and curtains for each of the rooms. Kara wanted to give each room a very personal touch. The antiques are a collection of family heirlooms from each of the Grants' families as well as some of their close friends. In fact, it was the wonderful contributions from many of those close to them that gave the Grants the inspiration for the house's name. Not only does the house have a rich heritage but much of the furnishings do as well, making "Heritage House" a very fitting name for the place.
Steve and Kara Grant, the owners and innkeepers of the Downtown Historic Bed and Breakfasts of Albuquerque, have been residents of Albuquerque since 1999. Before moving to New Mexico they were living in Oklahoma City. Kara grew up in New Mexico and was very excited to come back to the great weather and beauty of New Mexico. When they first moved here, they settled in a typical home with their 3 children. But two years after their fourth little girl was born, they came across a unique house with an amazing story behind it in the downtown area of Albuquerque. The house was badly in need of TLC, but Kara fell in love with the house and Steve soon warmed up to it as well. They spent 6 months making the house livable and moved into it Christmas Eve of 2004. This house was the "Spy House", which they made their home for 5 years.
Two years after moving into the Spy House. they had the opportunity to buy the house next door, 207 High St. At the beginning of the renovation, they both decided that the perfect use for this house would be a bed and breakfast, what other way could they let others appreciate and enjoy the beauty of this incredible old house. After about 18 months of renovation, the house was ready to be opened. However, now they had to get the city approval for what they wanted to do with the house as well as all of the necessary inspections. Finally, in January 2007 the house was opened as a bed and breakfast.
Getting the word out has been a very tricky part, but we have been highly rewarded by the many positive comments from our guests. We also enjoy sharing the journey of the houses with everyone who comes to visit.
In December of 2007, we purchased and moved to the house to the south of the Heritage House. This allowed us to include the Spy House as additional rooms to our bed and breakfast venture. We also have joined both yards, giving us a large and beautiful outdoor facility for our guests.
When you come to stay with us, you will also be greeted by our 4 wonderful children--Jacob, Ethan, Hannah, and Abbey. They love meeting the guests and finding out about where they are from. Our family's primary objective for all of our guests is to make them feel at home.
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