The Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix: Then and Now

Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 9:51 a.m.

McCulloch Bros./ASU Libraries Digital Repository The Phoenix Motor Company building, circa 1939. The location now houses music venue The Van Buren. 1/25

McCulloch Bros./ASU Libraries Digital Repository The showroom of the Phoenix Motor Company building in 1939. The location now houses music venue The Van Buren. 2/25

McCulloch Bros./ASU Libraries Digital Repository The Phoenix Motor Company building in 1946. 3/25

McCulloch Bros./ASU Libraries Digital Repository A street view of the Phoenix Motor Company building in 1946 facing east along Van Buren Street. 4/25

Benjamin Leatherman The Van Buren during its initial stages of construction in January 2017. 5/25

Benjamin Leatherman The Van Buren during its initial stages of construction in January 2017. 6/25

Benjamin Leatherman The Van Buren during its initial stages of construction in January 2017. 7/25

Benjamin Leatherman The now-finished exterior of The Van Buren, which officially opened on August 23. 8/25

Benjamin Leatherman The now-finished exterior of The Van Buren, which officially opened on August 23. 9/25

Photo by Benjamin Leatherman, mural by Gary Patch A portion of designer Gary Patch's mural depicting the Arizona desert that decorates the stage area at The Van Buren. 10/25

Benjamin Leatherman The exterior of The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. 11/25

Photo by Benjamin Leatherman, mural by Gary Patch A portion of the Gary Patch's mural depicting the Arizona desert that decorates the stage area at The Van Buren. 12/25

Benjamin Leatherman A glimpse at the mezzanine level of The Van Buren. 13/25

Benjamin Leatherman The box office at The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. 14/25

Benjamin Leatherman Gold lettering equals classy. 15/25

Benjamin Leatherman Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22. 16/25

Benjamin Leatherman The outdoor patio at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22. 17/25

Benjamin Leatherman Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22. 18/25

Benjamin Leatherman Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22. 19/25

Benjamin Leatherman Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22. 20/25

Benjamin Leatherman A remnant of the Van Buren building's former life as the Phoenix Motor Company. 21/25

Benjamin Leatherman A doorway leading to backstage and the bathrooms at The Van Buren. 22/25

Benjamin Leatherman A glimpse at the mezzanine level of The Van Buren. 23/25

Benjamin Leatherman The interior look of The Van Buren features lots of exposed brick. 24/25

Benjamin Leatherman A groovy-looking light fixture in the backstage area at The Van Buren. 25/25

The Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix: Then and Now

Downtown Phoenix's newest music venue, The Van Buren, is officially open for business. The 1,900-person capacity concert joint, which is co-owned by local concert promoter Charlie Levy and Live Nation, is located in a historic structure at Fourth Avenue and Van Buren Street that served as the Phoenix Motor Company several decades ago. Here's a look at the building looked back in the day, how it transformed into The Van Buren, and what it looks like today.

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