Fisher Body Building

Built in 1929, this brick structure at 1255 Park Avenue was built by Fisher Body Co. in 1929 for $250,000.

The building was mostly one-story with an elevated two-story section in the front that provided office space. The plant, which measured 262 feet long (Park Ave. side) by 212 feet wide, functioned as a warehouse for Fisher Body parts. Fisher Body manufactured parts for General Motors vehicles, including Cadillac, LaSalle, Buick, Oakland, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet.

The plant closed in 1931 due to the Great Depression.

The New Park Avenue Auditorium took over the building in 1932 and converted the interior into an entertainment venue that featured ‘walkathon’ and dance marathon contests which were growing in popularity.

The auditorium contained a modern, well-lighted arena surrounded by bleachers on all four sides.

The rules of the dance marathon were simple. Male and female contestants entered as a team. There would be 29 teams in a typical program. The couples had to move or dance continuously for 45 minutes. Then there was a 15 minute rest period. During the rest period the contestants had 11 minutes to sleep or eat and 4 minutes to return to the dance floor. This routine continued for hour after hour, day after day, week after week. The last remaining couple to survive this ordeal was declared the winner.

The operation was forced to close in 1935 when then California Governor Frank Merriam signed a bill that banned all types of endurance contests, including walkathons.

Afterwards, the plant was purchased by the Frigidaire Corp, a division of General Motors. Frigidaire in turn moved from the space in 1937.

The building has been occupied by a variety of businesses throughout the decades including UARCO Business Forms in the 50s, the California Industries for the Blind in the 70s and Emeryville Properties in the 80s.

It’s currently occupied by an assortment of small technology companies.