A large Tesla "T" sign sits outside the former Fresno Lexus dealership on Palmdon Drive, appearing staged for installation. A construction dumpster is visible in the background as work continues on the property. Photo by Ben Hensley

A large Tesla “T” sign and a flurry of construction activity at the former Fresno Lexus dealership this week are fueling speculation that the electric vehicle maker is preparing to expand its North Fresno footprint.

Workers were active at the site Wednesday near Palm and Herndon avenues, where construction materials have been staged outside the building and crews appeared to be performing exterior paint work. The Tesla sign was visible on its side outside the building, appearing to be staged for installation.

The building’s windows have been covered to allow for paint work, and as of Monday the interior appeared fully gutted and prepared for build-out — suggesting interior work had already taken place ahead of this week’s exterior activity.

The former dealership sits next to Tesla’s current Fresno showroom at 717 W. Palmdon Dr., formerly home to the Fresno Infiniti dealership, which relocated in 2024. Tesla vehicles first appeared parked on the approximately 30,000-square-foot lot months ago, prompting questions about whether the company planned to utilize the space.

Fresno Lexus vacated the site in 2025 after relocating to a new dealership less than a mile away along Palm Avenue.

Tesla representatives at the neighboring showroom directed inquiries to the company’s corporate media team. Emails to Tesla’s press team were unanswered as of Wednesday afternoon.

Tesla has not formally announced plans for the property.