The Old Ford Building, reimagined.


The Great Northern Railway (GN) arrived in Williston, North Dakota in 1887, marking the town’s first economic boom. This development spurred the city’s growth leading to the “Old Ford Building” being built in the early 20th century as a Ford automobile dealership. It was a pillar of Williston's growth during the automobile boom and played a significant role in the community’s development. As car ownership became more common, the building became a hub for automobile and truck sales in the region. Over time, the building changed ownership and function, and this next chapter is set to be the most exciting one yet as it is set to reopen its doors October 2025. 

Map of the Empire Builder train route from Chicago to Seattle with stops marked. The route is highlighted in red, passing through North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Major stops include St. Paul, Minneapolis, Fargo, Glacier Park, and Seattle.
Vintage train cars on display behind a black fence in a snowy area, with leafless trees, a streetlamp, and cloudy sky

The historic downtown building is being transformed into a 19,000 square foot, state-of-the-art event center, injecting new energy into the downtown corridor as a luxury event center. With its rich history and central location, the building will soon host a variety of exciting events, from concerts to conferences, weddings to community gatherings. A 4,000 sf fall-out shelter, a thick concrete bunker in the basement will be the home to The Mustang Room, a listening room for music and cocktail/mocktail lounge.

The transformation will blend its classic charm with modern amenities, making it a unique and versatile venue for all kinds of celebrations and activities. This revitalization will provide a beautiful space for both locals and visitors to connect and create memories in the heart of the Williston Basin. Get ready to be a part of something special as we breathe new life into one of our town’s most iconic buildings!

A large brick commercial building with blue accents and multiple garage doors on a sunny day, located at a street corner with parking spaces and power lines.