Hunt buys block in Downtown El Paso

EL PASO – El Paso-based Hunt Companies has purchased an entire city block in Downtown El Paso including 601 N. Mesa St., which they purchased from Compass Bank, and the motor bank across the street at 512 N. Oregon.

The deed filed with El Paso County shows that the property is valued at $1.9 million for tax purposes, according to public records.

Roughly half of the block purchased by Hunt is occupied by a two-story building, which houses a BBVA Compass Bank branch and Francis Properties, a commercial real estate firm. A surface parking lot occupies the other half.

The property is located next to I-10 where it dips underneath North Mesa.

Immediately west of the property is the future site of the five-story Artspace building, which will provide affordable housing and studio space for artists. And just beyond that is the DoubleTree Hotel.

It’s a good sign for a major corporation such as Hunt Companies to make a large investment in Downtown El Paso, where a redevelopment effort has been underway, said Downtown real estate broker David Etzold.

Right now, Hunt Companies is headquartered at 4401 N. Mesa in the Epicenter office complex.