The renovated Pasadena Civic Auditorium Exhibition Hall, which reopened in February as an exhibition facility after nearly 40 years, will be presented a Historic Preservation Award by the Pasadena Historic Preservation Commission on June 4, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Exhibition Hall.
One of Pasadena’s oldest public event buildings the historic 17,000-square-foot Pasadena Civic Auditorium Exhibition Hall was restored and reopened in February after last serving as an exhibition hall and ballroom in 1976.
“It’s certainly an honor to be recognized for the efforts that brought this great historic exhibition hall back to life,” said Michael Ross, CEO, Pasadena Center Operating Company, which oversees the Pasadena Convention Center and Civic Auditorium. “Our residents can be proud of seeing one of the city’s celebrated landmark jewels preserved and restored for their enjoyment. And we are confident that the added capacity will also help us to bring more conventions, trade shows, consumer shows, banquets and other events to Pasadena.”
The Historic Preservation Awards recognize excellent historic preservation projects that stand out in their neighborhoods and raise public awareness about the importance of preserving Pasadena’s shared architectural heritage.
Constructed in 1931 as part of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the exhibit hall was originally used for conventions, dances, performances and various exhibits. It was re-purposed as home to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center in 1976. The hall held the ice rink until 2011, when the Pasadena Ice Skating Center moved to a new, stand-alone facility to the east of the Civic Auditorium. The hall sat idle until undergoing the $900,000 renovation in 2014.
Architecture from the original hall remains intact. Three arches from the lounge continue to mark the entrance to the main ballroom, and 12 large arched windows allow daylight to fill the room. The hall’s 21 original chandeliers made of forged iron and brass were retrofitted and refurbished to as part of the facelift.
The Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC) is a nonprofit corporation (501C4) formed by the City of Pasadena to manage the Pasadena Convention Center, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Pasadena Ice Skating Center.
For more information, contact the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 307-7977 or visit www.VisitPasadena.com.
