Route 66 Mixed-Use Development

The Future of the Mother Road

Located on Route 66 at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and Riverside Drive in the historic Riverview neighborhood, the new Route 66 Mixed-Use Development pays tribute to the history of Route 66 while focusing on the Mother Road ahead. The design features contemporary aesthetics enhanced by traditional Route 66 highlights such as classic cars and neon. This unique approach recognizes the past while preparing for a new generation of visitors.

The site is divided into two sectors: the city-facing roadway and the parkscaped neighborhood. This plan maximizes the existing thoroughfares while respecting and serving the Riverview and River Parks communities. This development is designed to become an integrated part of the surroundings, paving the way for the future growth of Riverview, River Parks, and Route 66.

Project Development
This project is being developed by Sharp Development in partnership with the City of Tulsa on two acres of City-owned land at 815 S. Riverside Drive across the street from the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. The total project cost is projected to be approximately $25 million, with $5 million in City funds from the 2006 sales tax program.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

The Route 66 Interpretive Center
The Route 66 Interpretive Center engages guests in a truly unique way. The showcase of the development is a glass-enclosed classic car vending machine, providing rental options for those who want to “Ride the Road” in style.

The existing bridge connecting Avery Plaza to the development site will be preserved and provides an entry point into the interpretive center. Guests may also enter via the hotel lobby on the ground floor, which serves as an extension of the Center featuring Route 66-inspired art and artifacts. Once inside the Center, a visual experience invites guests to learn about the history of Route 66 and Tulsa.

Retail, Dining, and Entertainment
The ground floor facing the Arkansas River will feature retail and dining options to enhance both the River Parks and Route 66 experiences. Step outside from the second level to 17,000 SF of outdoor terrace and amphitheater space featuring seating options and entertainment – the perfect place for viewing races such as the Route 66 Marathon and Tulsa Tough, or simply enjoying a picnic. The terrace is an extension of the River Parks, bringing the outdoors to the development itself.

Welcome to the Avery Hotel
The “Avery”, named after the founder of Route 66 Mr. Cyrus Avery, is the hotel, event, and residential portion of the building that includes 40 hotel keys with a mid-century modern vibe and stunning views of downtown Tulsa, the River, and the Mother Road. The event space includes a 3,500 SF ballroom and break-out meeting spaces. The residential portion offers 55 lease options with separate parking and entry for residents. The Avery Hotel will welcome overnight guests, host long-term residents, and provide the hottest new event spot in town.

The Route 66 Mixed-Use Development is expected to open in mid-2026 to coincide with the Route 66 centennial.

Growth and Investment in Tulsa, OK

Tulsa has experienced robust private and public investment in the City’s Downtown District and the adjoining Arkansas River Corridor — the new Route 66 Mixed-Use Development Project Site is ideally located between the two. Since 2009, nearly $1 billion in private and public investments have revitalized Downtown and the River Corridor with a vibrant mix of entertainment, art, food, multi-family dwellings, and recreation.

Downtown attractions include: the 18,000-seat BOk Arena, designed by internationally known architect Cesar Pelli, which hosts national talent and sporting events; ONEOK Stadium for the Tulsa Drillers, a Double A-Central affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers; and the commercially vibrant Tulsa Arts, Blue Dome, and Art Deco Districts.

River Corridor improvements include enhanced amenities for the trails and the River West Festival site. River Parks includes 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced trails, many of which are dual trails for pedestrians and cyclists. Tulsa has received the Bicycle Friendly Community bronze-level designation from the League of American Bicyclists which recognizes the commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure, and pro-bicycling policies. In Tulsa, bicycling activities range from the nationally recognized annual Tulsa Tough racing event attended by more than 50,000 people, to ongoing activities such as kids’ after-school bike clubs and adult bike clubs that ride on a weekly basis. Tulsa also is the home of the USA BMX national arena and headquarters, to be built at the Evans-Fintube historic site in the Greenwood District. Construction of this project began in 2018, with $15 million in funding from the Vision Tulsa sales tax.

Located just 1.8 miles south of the Route 66 Mixed-Use Development site on Riverside, the Gathering Place, opened in 2018 with an investment exceeding $400 million, is a 100-acre outdoor river-front destination providing free access to recreational opportunities in addition to food, art, and entertainment events. Opened adjacent to the Gathering Place in 2022 is the 50,000 SF Tulsa Children Museum’s Discovery Lab. Construction on a new low water dam project with an integrated white-water flume and an iconic pedestrian bridge is well underway and will increase recreational opportunities on the river.

Since 2003, the City of Tulsa has invested over $20MM citywide to construct and create a notable Route 66 heritage celebrating its two Route 66 alignments. These enhancements include those abutting the Site: Avery Centennial Plaza, East Meets West sculpture, Route 66 Skywalk, and Avery Plaza Southwest Motel Neon Sign Park. Other citywide Route 66 exhibits include the Historical (Train) Village, East and West Gateways, Route 66 Rising sculpture, mosaic artwork, and restored iconic two-paneled neon Meadow Gold sign installed on an outdoor Pavilion.

Tulsa is the adopted home of the Father of Route 66, Cyrus Stevens Avery. The Art Deco bridge adjacent to the Site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, aided Avery in aligning Route 66 through Tulsa. Preliminary studies are underway to determine restoration feasibilities.

Inspired by these and other citywide capital investments, entrepreneurs have made private investments to adaptively reused historic buildings and create five unique areas along Route 66 featuring classic and kitschy designs and a mix of food, art, and retail. To date, over forty businesses have participated in a City-sponsored Neon Sign Grant Program bringing classic neon features back to the storefronts of Route 66 businesses.

The new Route 66 Mixed-Use Development represents the City of Tulsa’s continued support of and investment in preserving and promoting Route 66 and capitalizes on the momentum of growth in and around the Project Site.