Anchoring Tulsa’s Main Street, the Universal Ford Building’s restoration enriches downtown’s historic streetscape.
Reclaiming a Piece of Tulsa’s History
Constructed in 1917 as a Ford automobile showroom and service center, the Universal Ford Building embodies Tulsa’s early commercial and industrial identity. Its cast-in-place concrete frame, stucco-clad columns, and expansive steel windows reflect the architectural ingenuity of its time. Decades of wear and significant structural damage required a careful rehabilitation effort to restore the building’s integrity while adapting it for modern use.
By leveraging federal and state historic tax credits, the project addressed extensive structural repairs, including the replacement of damaged stucco and restoration of concrete elements. The original steel windows were retained, reglazed with insulated glass, and upgraded with new seals, maintaining their functional operability while improving energy performance. These updates ensured that the building’s character-defining features remain intact, serving as a physical record of Main Street’s historic narrative.
Revitalizing Main Street Through Thoughtful Adaptation
The renovation honors the building’s original function while adapting it to its new purpose. The first-floor showroom—once a hub for Tulsa’s early automotive culture—now houses a restaurant that embraces the historic mosaic porcelain floor, restored plaster walls, and central fireplace. Adjacent spaces were converted into modern offices and a residential lobby, connecting to the second floor and its 23 thoughtfully designed apartments.
On the second floor, the design leveraged the industrial character of the service areas, preserving painted concrete finishes and maximizing the prominence of the large steel windows. These historic details blend seamlessly with modern amenities, creating unique residences that invite community members to live where history and innovation converge.
Elevating Downtown Tulsa’s Identity
The Universal Ford Building’s rehabilitation does more than preserve a structure; it strengthens the cultural and architectural fabric of Tulsa’s most intact historic Main Street. In a district where many buildings of this era have been lost, this project anchors the streetscape, demonstrating the importance of protecting Tulsa’s heritage while reinvigorating its urban core.
By maintaining the original form and craftsmanship of the building while introducing spaces that support contemporary living, working, and dining, the Universal Ford Building serves as a testament to how preservation can drive community connection and pride. It underscores the value of Tulsa’s historic architecture as a living, functional part of the city’s identity, bridging past and present in the heart of downtown.