Great cities are known for their iconic marketplaces. They form an indelible stamp on the local character of a place. It’s where you go to gauge the pulse of a neighborhood. Think of the shouts and cheers that ring out as fish are tossed overhead at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, the music and entertainment that spills out onto the streets at Boston’s Faneuil Hall, or the delight of new tastes and smells that surprise visitors daily at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa.
Combine the energy and bustle of a daily market with an indoor | outdoor bar, covered patio, children’s play space, and a uniquely inspired commissary kitchen and you’ve got the ingredients for Tulsa’s Mother Road Market. This adaptive re-use of a 1930s brick warehouse brings new life along Route 66 as a hub for incubator restaurants and merchants of all kinds.
From flashy neon to roadside kitsch, Route 66 has a long history filled with tales of migrants, drifters, and dreamers that have delighted generations. The goal of this project was to reactivate the Mother Road with a new attraction worthy of that rich legacy.
The 1930s brick warehouse had strong curb appeal and was in good condition. Building upon its strength, it was left virtually intact making only minor restoration and modifications. Quirky features of the old building have been preserved, including a vault complete with steel plate door and combination lock. Existing interior walls were removed showcasing the existing bowstring steel and wood roof system that spans the hall and rests on aged brick piers.
Nestled beneath the exposed wood rafters and overlooking the expansive hall below, an existing mezzanine was converted into office space for the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation.
An existing open shed was re-purposed into an inviting outdoor gathering space. Roll-up sectional doors provide access to the outdoor patio stretching along the entire east side of the building.
The elevated floor was made accessible to all with entry and exit ramps.
The old historic warehouse provides a framework for artistic voices. Murals and locally commissioned artwork enhance the visitor experience and the connection to Route 66.
