DeVos Place Convention Center
DeVos Place Convention Center, erected in 2003 on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, is a multi-purpose convention center. It is named for Richard DeVos, who donated $20 million towards its construction.
The Convention Center features a 162,000-square-foot (15,100 m2), column free exhibit hall, 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) ballroom and 26 individual meeting rooms (32,000 square feet). Twelve spacious loading docks (with a wash bay and marshalling area), allow for easy access into the exhibit hall.
The convention center is owned by the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority and managed by SMG.
DeVos Place is part of a vibrant downtown entertainment district featuring over 50 dining establishments, nightclubs, four museums and the 12,000 seat Van Andel Arena, all within walking distance.
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[edit] Grand Center
The south side of the building was originally called the Grand Center. It features the DeVos Performance Hall and Civic Auditorium, which are still in use although they were renovated when DeVos Place was built. DeVos Performance Hall, built in 1980, is a 2,400 seat theater is home to the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Opera Grand Rapids and Broadway Grand Rapids. It can also serve as the perfect space for a general session or keynote address.
DeVos Performance Hall has hosted concerts including B.B. King, Barenaked Ladies, James Taylor, Tori Amos and Harry Connick, Jr.; comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby and Ron White; and family shows including Dora The Explorer Live, Bear in The Big Blue House Live, Blue’s Clues Live and Thomas & Friends Live.
The new lobby of DeVos Performance Hall was unveiled in June 2002 as part of the DeVos Place Expansion project. The renovated lobby includes a beautiful terrazzo floor, new box office with an outside window and a scrolling marquee. Also part of the renovations were new restroom facilities located on the north side of the theater on the second and third floors.
Internal renovations include refurbished theater seating, as well as new wall and ceiling finishes, new flooring and enhanced colored accent lighting to refresh the house interior and adjoining entry paths. New balcony light fixtures were added along with freshly redesigned balcony fronts that have improved sight lines.
[edit] Civic Auditorium
The Civic Auditorium facade remains from the original structure, which faces the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
[edit] Grand River Promenade
The Grand River Promenade, the official name for the skyway, goes between the DeVos Place Convention Center and the Van Andel Arena.
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 42°58′10″N 85°40′24″W / 42.96933°N 85.67345°W
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