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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.
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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.
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McCulloch Bros./ASU Libraries Digital Repository
The Phoenix Motor Company building in 1946.
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McCulloch Bros./ASU Libraries Digital Repository
A street view of the Phoenix Motor Company building in 1946 facing east along Van Buren Street.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The Van Buren during its initial stages of construction in January 2017.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The Van Buren during its initial stages of construction in January 2017.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The Van Buren during its initial stages of construction in January 2017.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The now-finished exterior of The Van Buren, which officially opened on August 23.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The now-finished exterior of The Van Buren, which officially opened on August 23.
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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.
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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.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The box office at The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix.
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Benjamin Leatherman
Gold lettering equals classy.
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Benjamin Leatherman
Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22.
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Benjamin Leatherman
The outdoor patio at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22.
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Benjamin Leatherman
Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22.
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Benjamin Leatherman
Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22.
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Benjamin Leatherman
Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performs at The Van Buren during its preview party on Tuesday, August 22.
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Benjamin Leatherman
A remnant of the Van Buren building's former life as the Phoenix Motor Company.
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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.
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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