In a move that’s been met with both excitement and curiosity, Tesla has officially broken ground on a project that once sounded like a wild idea straight out of science fiction—a futuristic diner with a drive-in theatre and Supercharger station. While this venture may have raised some eyebrows when Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk first mentioned it, it seems that the electric vehicle manufacturer is dead serious about bringing this unique concept to life.
The genesis of this ambitious project dates back to 2018 when Elon Musk first floated the idea of an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant” at a Tesla Supercharger location in Los Angeles. At the time, many wondered if Musk was joking, but as it turns out, he was not.
Several months later, Tesla formally applied for building permits to construct a “restaurant and Supercharger station” in Santa Monica. However, the project encountered numerous obstacles, primarily due to local regulations. Despite these challenges, Tesla decided to forge ahead with the Supercharger station at the location while relocating the diner project to Hollywood.
Last year, the automaker filed detailed construction plans with the city of Hollywood, giving the public a glimpse of what they intend to create. The proposed diner will be a distinctive semi-circular two-story structure featuring 29 Supercharger stalls and two movie theatre screens. Architectural modeller Ed Howard even created some compelling renders based on these plans.
After a year of relative inactivity, Tesla has now secured a building permit and has initiated construction at the site. Ottomate, an expert in food robotics and automation, shared exclusive images (behind a paywall) on Substack, revealing that Tesla has demolished the existing buildings at the location, which formerly housed a Shakey’s Pizza, and has begun laying the foundations for the new restaurant.
What remains uncertain is whether Tesla intends for this diner and drive-in theatre concept to be a one-of-a-kind attraction or if it envisions replicating the idea at other Supercharger stations as it continues to expand its charging infrastructure network.
Interestingly, Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk’s brother and a director on Tesla‘s board, is an established restaurateur with his own chain of restaurants. This familial connection raises the possibility that Tesla could tap into Kimbal’s expertise to create a restaurant division that complements its extensive Supercharger network.
In conclusion, Tesla‘s groundbreaking on its futuristic diner, complete with a drive-in theater and Supercharger station, marks a significant step forward for the electric vehicle pioneer. As construction progresses, the world will be watching closely to see how Tesla brings this imaginative concept to life and whether it sets a precedent for similar ventures at other Supercharger locations.
