The Convention Center is located one block north of the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside. The historic nature of the Mission Inn, the Fox Performing Arts Center, and the Riverside Art Museum, were important considerations in the design of this facility. Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival styles were studied in terms of scale, proportion and context.
The vision for the Convention Center was to re-use the structural portion of the original building and add the necessary space to remake the facility to best accommodate current demands. The original building of 92,000 square feet was combined with a 36,000 square foot addition, providing 50 percent more exhibit space.
This project was envisioned as a new economic engine for downtown. The design creates a variety of unique spaces to accommodate a wider range of activities enabling the Convention Center to attract larger events, but still appeal to smaller groups and functions by maintaining a characteristic boutique feel.
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