Numero Uno Exterior, Front

photo by: We Are the Next

November 18, 2015

#SaveTacoBell: America’s First Taco Bell Has Been Saved

  • By: Katharine Keane

The original home of Taco Bell will now get to “live más.” Taco Bell announced today plans to relocate and rehabilitate the structure lovingly referred to as “Numero Uno” from its Downey, California home to Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, California.

Since we reported the threat to the 53-year-old structure in February, the fast food corporation partnered with Los Angeles’ We Are the Next, who assessed the building, project budgets, and schedules, and is now spearheading the relocation project.

The 45-mile, southward move is slated to begin at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 19. “Numero Uno” will remain at headquarters until permanent plans are determined; in the meantime, Taco Bell hopes to “involve their fans and community in the process.”

Katharine Keane is a former editorial assistant at Preservation Magazine. She enjoys getting lost in new cities, reading the plaques at museums, and discovering the next great restaurant.

Now accepting nominations for the 2024 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places! Letters of Intent are due September 29, 2023.

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