The transformation of Monterey Conference Center reinvigorates an important economic driver for Monterey County. The new design restores the 40-year-old facility as a hub of activity in the heart of downtown, creating a rejuvenated civic space. With views of downtown, the Santa Lucia Mountains, and Monterey Bay, visitors feel connected to the city center and exquisite natural environment. The project meets the increased demands of Monterey’s growing conference and event population, and provides a new, distinct visual identity for the existing building.

Following years of declining conference bookings, the redesigned center transforms the original structure into a flexible, modern, state-of-the-art venue that houses a new 10,000-square-foot ballroom, a restored 20,000-square-foot exhibit hall, meeting rooms, pre-function spaces, gallery, and administration space. The highly visible renovation—from a dark, concrete and stucco structure into a light-filled city gateway—is central to attracting new business.

The building’s design echoes characteristics of classic Monterey style architecture, while infusing it with contemporary details that appeal to a current generation of conference-goers. Skylights, clerestory windows, and a double-height lobby infuse the interiors with abundant natural light. Materials used throughout—stone, wood, and plaster—are commonly used in Monterey Style architecture, reinforcing the project’s connection to history and place.

Upstairs, a former theater has been transformed from a single room with fixed seating and a permanent stage to a reconfigurable, multipurpose space with moveable partitions. Named the Steinbeck Ballroom in homage to acclaimed author and Monterey native John Steinbeck, it features a wood ceiling that echoes the heavy timber construction of Monterey’s whaling ships, celebrating the area’s historic ties to the whaling industry. The pre-function area wraps the north and east sides, allowing access to a series of outdoor spaces, including the new City Terrace, which takes advantage of Monterey’s mild climate by extending the interiors outside.

Photography: Bruce Damonte