Volvo of Oklahoma City was the last of the original dealerships to shutter their doors on Automobile Alley- making way for an upscale urban area.
Located in the heart of north Oklahoma City, Automobile Alley was developed in the 1920s and was the home of over 70 automobile dealerships, including Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Pontiac, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, and Studebaker. The dealerships started moving out of their downtown locations and followed residents to the suburbs. The area fell into decline in the 1970s and ’80s as the rest of the remaining dealerships made a slow exodus to the suburbs, with Mercedes Benz and Volvo being the last to leave the area.
The bomb set off at Alfred Federal Building, April 19, 1995, blasted the roofs off most of the old buildings in Automobile Alley. The explosion devastated the blocks of abandoned buildings that had been boarded up for years. The mayor, Ron Norwick, worked with The Urban Land Institute and the State Congressional Delegation and got millions of dollars in federal grants and loans to rebuild the area. This was the beginning of the revival of Automobile Alley.
The revitalization of this upscale area has taken decades. The shuttered showrooms of dealerships are slowly being transformed into storefronts, hotels, bars, apartments, galleries, office space, and upscale restaurants.
What Are The Iconic Dealerships Today?
Volvo
In late 2020, Tesla opened a service garage in the old Volvo location but is not licensed to sell electric cars in Oklahoma. But don’t worry as the salespeople are on site to show you the different models that Tesla sells, and you can also schedule a test drive. The friendly and informative staff will go over all of the features of the various models so you can decide which car is best for you. When you are ready to order, they ask you to pull up the Tesla website on your phone and order your car online. A representative will then call you back to confirm your purchase details and discuss delivery dates. There is no financing on-site, so be prepared to find your own.
The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
The Ford Motor Company assembly plant is now the 21C Hotel & Museum, which dates back more than a century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 21c Oklahoma City. This 135 room, pet-friendly hotel is a sophisticated mix of industrial and art deco—luxurious, modern loft-style rooms with high ceilings and huge windows to see the city lights. The art gallery continues throughout the first floor with rotating exhibitions.
This property was a finalist in Surface Magazine Travel Awards. The restaurant is closed until October of 2021, but a pop-up location is available nearby.
General Motors Factory
This enormous 2.5 million square foot property was purchased by Oklahoma County and entered a lease agreement with Tinker Airforce Base in 2008. Opening in 1979, the factory assembled X-body cars, years later transitioning to Chevy Malibu, and finally sport utility vehicles. The factory survived a force 5 Tornado in May of 2003, but its ultimate demise was General Motors pending bankruptcy, and the factory was permanently shuttered in 2006. Now known as building 9001, the plant assembles engines for F-16 Fighting Falcons and KC – 135 Stratotankers.
Buick Factory
When the owners of Provision concepts, Aaron Soward (formerly senior management at Upper Crust Pizza) and Jeff Dixon (formerly of Red Rock Grill), looked at the 8,000 square foot space in an old Buick dealership which had been abandoned for 30 years, they knew it was the perfect place for their first restaurant-Broadway 10 bar & Chophouse. They say the modern culture of the automobile district is a reflection of how they see themselves, in a polished space, with a refined menu, in a casual and current atmosphere. With the success of their first restaurant, they opened a second right next door -The Hatch Eatery and Mood Food. Their inspiration was to create a diner inspired by the now-defunct Sambo’s chain with open kitchens, counter seating, and booths along the opposite walls. They gave the space a modern twist with TV screens and free wifi.
The Norton Buick Company
This old dealership was renovated in 1995 into a 24 unit apartment building ranging in size from 800-2600 square feet and boasting 12′-18′ ceilings. In keeping with the dealership’s history, the original neon sign was restored, the interior walls were covered with galvanized metal, and the actual car ramp was retained so tenants could drive right up to their unit. If you are lucky enough to find an opening in this building, rent starts at $855.00.
Chevrolet
The Nova Company has plans to restore the old Chevrolet Building and adjacent properties into upscale loft apartments, retail space, and a Roof Top Greenhouse. The project should be completed by the end of 2022. In a recent article for The Oklahoman, Jerry Roca said, “The historic Chevrolet building provides the perfect backdrop to a unique shopping experience.” “We have partnered with Urban Agrarian in a full grocery market concept we’re calling ‘Urban Agrarian: a Bar, Eatery, and Bodega,’ to significantly expand their current operation, footprint, and product offering.”
Packard
Built in 1921, this was a large dealership with an indoor showroom.
Today the former showroom is home to The New American Kitchen.
In 2012 BlueKnight Energy moved its corporate headquarters from Tulsa to Automobile Alley. They were occupying 14,000 square feet of the upper two floors of the iconic Packard Building. Sadly, on December 21, 2020, the company announced it would be ceasing operations in Oklahoma City as it diversified out of the oil and gas industry.