M.H.R.V. Associates, 8805 S 132nd St, Renton, WA 98057, US

The Renton Pavilion Event Center is a wonderful location for events of all sizes and types. It is especially popular for weddings and receptions, dinner auctions, and business meetings. The operator of the Renton Pavilion Event Center is Rain City Catering. Positioned in the heart of Renton’s revitalizing downtown core, the Pavilion building is a former automobile dealership facility that was totally repurposed and updated in 2004. Mithun Architects was engaged to provide the design, and Edifice Construction was the general contractor. The structural “bones” of the building were retained, including the 70-foot-span wood bowstring arches and the concrete post and beam exterior frame. All of the mechanical systems were replaced with high efficiency components, the structure was upgraded to modern seismic standards, much exterior glass replaced masonry walls, and other modern amenities were added. The end result is an open but efficient space for events that retains a great historical “feel” and somehow achieves a level of intimacy that belies its capacity. The adjacent space on the site was developed into the Piazza, (Renton’s highly acclaimed downtown park. Among other things, the Piazza is the site of the Renton Farmer’s Market, which has been growing in popularity every year. On the opposite side of the Pavilion Building, a 570-space civic parking garage provides plenty of parking for Piazza and Event Center guests. Parking is free for the first two hours, and additional time has a nominal cost.