Historic courthouse to be site of landmark hotel

A Dona Ana county historic courthouse will be transformed into a five star hotel and conference center.

The Las Cruces Community Partners announced that it had completed a 70-year lease on the courthouse in downtown Las Cruces.

The original structure was completed in 1937.

Plans call for the restoration of the existing Courthouse to be fixed up as a conference center with several restaurants.

The hotel will anchor the southern end of Main Street and provide guests easy access to the growing number of restaurants, theatres and the already nationally acclaimed Main Street Farmers and Craft Market. The hotel and conference facilities will provide new options for business and tourists visiting the region.

Planning, design and restoration of the property is expected to take about two years.

Tours of the existing courthouse will start Saturday at 1pm.