WASHINGTON, D.C.
There is a new “Belle of the Ball” in Washington D.C. and it can be found in the city’s historic hotel, The Mayflower Renaissance. This September, the Promenade Ballroom will open its doors to meetings and events.
With the Promenade Ballroom, the 87-year-old hotel will add over 3,000 square feet of meeting space, while returning to the hotel’s original footprint.
Groups that wish to infuse their event with grandeur and history during this election year will be particularly interested in the Promenade ballroom. When the hotel opened in 1925, the space was known as Palm Court, first used as the receiving line for dignitaries attending the inaugural ball for President Calvin Coolidge. The Ballroom continued to evolve over the years, meeting the changing needs of hotel guests and the community. It was converted to Café Promenade in 1983, which it remained until the restaurant’s closure on August 12, 2012. Signature aspects of the room include large murals by well-known Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) artist Edward Laning, an iconic domed skylight and one of the largest crystal chandeliers in DC. These historic design elements will remain in the new ballroom.
With the renovation of the Promenade Ballroom, The Mayflower is accomplishing something that few historical hotels can claim. The hotel is adding additional square footage to the overall meeting space, without forfeiting the historical character of the floor plan and architectural elements of the property. The new 3,000 square foot space can accommodate a seated lunch or dinner for 220, a reception for 350 and a meeting for 140. The Mayflower will now have just over 40,000 square feet of meeting space with over 20 different room options to meet every group need.
Larger groups also can use the entire Promenade space including the ballroom, east and state rooms, grand ballroom and chinese Room, much like past Presidential Inaugural Balls. This configuration will allow for over 8,000 guests.In addition to the Promenade Ballroom, the hotel will open a new restaurant and bar in late fall 2012.
