Photos of Vintage Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Gas Stations

Seven examples of high-end conversions of service stations to alternative uses. These folks spent some money on these .. assume seven figures to make it nice enough to get into Architectural Digest.

We don't know if they started fresh renovations or took over an already-converted location that was something else -- still cost some serious money though

In addition to environmental remediation (e.g. underground gas tanks removed, soil samples taken for leaching, etc), an inch of exhaust grease/grime to scrub off/cover up in the interior, facilities for people (e.g., ADA mods. bathrooms, kitchens, electrical, etc), these are big projects.

A lot of that would not be necessary if you were gonna keep it like a personal "garage" for your own stuff but with nobody living there.

For example, two bays would be around 500/600 sq. ft. total with 12-15 ft ceilings, and maybe 400-500 sq. ft. in former office space.bathroom with 10 ft ceilings. So about 1,000-1 200 sq. ft. to work with in these old-time stations that were never convenience stores either.

Seems to me if you also wanted to store a few cars too, you maybe have to start with 3,000 sq. ft., recognizing a single car takes up about 200 sq. ft. of floor space (10'x20') by itself (not counting turn-around space or if space-saving car lifts were used).

source: These are America’s 7 Most Beautiful Gas Station Conversions

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Carlin's Amoco Station, located in Roanoke, VA, is part of the National Registry of Historic Places. "Built around 1947 in the 'iced-box' style originated by Texaco, Carlin’s Amoco Station was remodeled in 1953 by the American Oil Company (Amoco) into a 'stylized-box' design by adding Streamlined Moderne features such as rounded corners and vertical strips of glass block backlit by green neon tubing." Here is a photo, courtesy of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources:

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Here is a photo at night, showing the cool backlighting (image credit here):

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I found a nice B&W photos here, too but (unlike the above pics, AFAICT) it is copyrighted so I am merely linking to it.
 
i am gonna combine post #40. #74. #101 and #104.

I have been looking for a combination residential/commercial property for years. Real estate contacts have me on mailing lists, etc.

Because I know Detroit-area real estate best, I maintain a sense of market conditions there. I do the same thing in the 4-5 cities I am likely to retire to one day soon.

Example of something recently that was sent to me. I am not even remotely a buyer..

So, below is some pics/economics on 3652 Gratiot in Detroit. Last a Sunoco station plus auto'truck repair, looks like a convenience store was added sometime in its past.
"Tough" part of town, 3,000 sq. ft., store/garage, $300,000 to buy (lease option not offered on this property), so around $100/sq. ft., zoned commercial. However, its typical of many urban-area "fixer-uppers", what it takes to buy, condition you start with, etc.

For smaller urban areas than Detroit, rural settings. acquisition costs tend to be a little less, but you're less likely to find an art deco architectural gem like post #104 in the less-urban areas. Go to states like Florida or California, prices could be much higher as well.

My personal "rule of thumb" -- figure an amount of 20% to 50% of purchase price to clean out/renovate (I gotta pay people to do stuff vs. do it myself) to my minimum standard for safety/security (lighting, fencing, alarms, etc) to work on/store my sleds .

Like most real estate, there are three very critical elements. Location, location, location .. so estimates could vary widely.

So just for fun, say I got it for $250,000 with an environmental indemnity to me from seller, then toss another $60,000-$125,000 on top of that to fix it up, I am approaching $400,000 in.

Crikey!

I don't roll like that for this property. Its not architecturally distinctive -- but still is representative of a useful as a concrete, industrial box with high ceilings. dry, with low-fire risk.

If a lease option existed, I'd figure (estimated, and depends on terms) $~9,600 a year (~3,000 sq. ft times ~3.25 per sq. ft.) or ~$800/month . Add on whatever improvements are allowable under the lease which should be much less for real estate one doesn't own (estimate $50,000 one-time).

A lease would still purdy tall for a "hobby" building I don't own/live in.

source: Crexi.com

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For sale at only $3.7 million.

Built in 1939, its located at the corner of Lamar and Cadiz, in Dallas, TX. Guess I won't be retiring in Dallas .. :).

Nice joint though...



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source: A Dallas landmark can be yours — for $3.7 million

Excerpt:

"There was a time when the Good Luck Oil Company (GLOCO) had more than 50 service stations in and around Dallas.

That number is now down to one, and even its future is in doubt. A masterpiece in the streamline moderne style, it was built in 1939 and sits on the corner of Lamar and Cadiz, a whitewashed beacon marking the entry into the Cedars from downtown.

The building, known as GLOCO Station #5, was designed by the company’s owner A.E. “Amos” Wilemon, who was inspired by the forms of the Centennial Exposition at Fair Park.

Two other stations just like it were built (on Ross and Fitzhugh avenues), but Wilemon’s twin brother, Roy, who was also his business partner, preferred a more conventional (and presumably less expensive) design. The structure is actually brick."
 
The former Crandall's Super Station, built in 1935 in the art-deco style, its located at 501 South Union St, Traverse City, MI.

Notice the bay captions .. washing, greasing, batteries, and tires .. the essentials plus gas of 1930's motoring. With three generous sized bays and ample storage/office/bathrooms, its looks to be about ~3,200 (65' x 50') sq, ft. of space

Doesn't appear to have been affiliated with a major oil company, so it may have been services by independents for gasoline/oil. Always had a repair business though, and owned until it closed as a gas station in 1992 by one person (last picture).

Building is on state of Michigan historic registry and operates today as Randy's Olde Town Service, strictly for vehicle repair.

sources: This Traverse City Auto Repair Shop is Truly Unique, Classical gas: Randy's Olde Towne Service links to the past

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I am not a buyer (but i'd make something like this my personal residence -- its the right size) -- just showing because I like this style, size, and location. 300 W Pitt St, Bedford, PA (100 miles southeast of Pittsburg).

Built in 1933, unmolested art-deco masterpiece, its got character, location in "small town" America, in a neighbord that looks viable .. diggin' it.

source: Exploring Dunkle's Gulf Station along the Lincoln Highway in Bedford

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Time for some football .. but one more.

I have been fixated on the old stuff ... they are some cool new, modern, quite striking architectural designs. This one is in Los Angeles, this is a United Oil Gas Station located at LeBrea @ Slauson.

United Oil says they have 130 gas stations in California .. they are putting some serious money in those things apparently if this one is an example

source: United Oil Gasoline Station // Kanner Architects - Architizer Journal

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Last three examples are all great, thanks @amazinblue82 for posting the info.

In the same vein of "I could see myself there, here is a building from New Ulm, MN (about 60 miles SW of Minneapolis). It was "built in 1938 as Shell station for the Retzlaff Motor Company, a Dodge dealer. It is now used by the Brown County Historical Society for storage and exhibit space" (Source: Road Architecture). Here is a good photo from Flickr:



Here are more photos, by a different photographer, showing the masonry on the side, the Dodge / Plymouth signage, and the period shell pumps:







Two additional photos, showing the sides of the building, are at Minnesota Gas Stations | RoadsideArchitecture.com
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Modern dealerships going back indoors like the 1930's?

Naw -- while the subject of a different thread though, vehicle retailing might be very different in the next couple decades. What's old maybe new again I predict.

Anyway, this is a 2022 dealership. 40A 10th Avenue, NY, NY. So, where's the cars?

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Ground floor and upper floors of this building is the "dealership" plus a buncha other stuff.

Genesis brand (think what Lexus-brand is to Toyota, Genesis brand is that for Hyundai) has got a 46,000 sq. ft. space, cars on the ground floor, plus other stuff on upper floors, that you don't see in a "dealership".

They call the whole space "Genesis House". Open to the public of course, you dont need to be looking for car to patronize this place.

So, is it a dealership, or a Korean cultural center, or an entertainment venue? Its all those things I think. Does it influence luxury buyers? Dunno, but maybe Hyundai doesn't care?

Any maybe selling a car or two is just gravy because a lotta Korean Won (Korean government participation?) is needed to pay for nearly 50,000 feet of Manhattan nose-bleed priced real estate.

source: Genesis House NYC | GENESIS

The "Showroom"
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A Michelin-rated, 5 star restaurant called the "Genesis House Restaurant"
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The "Celler Stage" .. an audio/visual space to launch new models, plus to host/rent out for events, seminars, etc., that would appeal to coincidentally to buyers of luxury Geneis models.
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The "Genesis House Library" - dedicated to special edition books, luxury display items, unique accessories, and other publications that highlight Korean culture
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The "Tea Pavillion" - floor-seating in a space hosted by tea specialists, using ancient Korean techiques to "refresh and recharge" Genesis House guests
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The Genesis House "Terrace" - wanna chill, catch some rays/fresh air, throw a party, and/or just gaze at the Hudson River skyline with an aperatif?
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Gas Galenta, located in western Slovakia in Europe. Built in 2011. Definitely a distinctive architecture.

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Saw this ad in a 1961 dodge news magazine
I used to manage this theater in the early 90s
Located in the upscale area of Tiburon California.
Some of the most pricey real estate in the world.
I remember finding a set of Marin Dodge license plate frames in projection booth.
It was the closest dealership to theater.
Theater was built in 1948 as single screen.
Remodeled as twin,then again as 3 screen.
Closed down during Covid.
Not seen in factory dodge photos.
To the right of theater doors was a lawn jocky
holding a ring to tie horses to.
Was later removed under a big controversy.

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