ARCADIA, Calif.
Known as the “West Coast Jewel of American Racing,” Santa Anita Park recently completed a three-year, $40 million renovation which added several upgrades and modernizations to better showcase the park’s original stunning architecture. Several new elite meeting and event spaces were also added.
The award-winning refurbishment enhances Santa Anita’s postcard setting and solidifies the “Great Race Place” as one of the top thoroughbred racetracks in the world, and a coveted venue for private events. Santa Anita Park features over 1,000,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor function space.
Santa Anita Park has stood at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, Calif., for more than 80 years. The recent renovation refreshed the property’s iconic Art Deco design, added new luxury suites, and upgraded several areas at the track, including the Club House Terrace and Chandelier Room.
Each of the park’s 13 luxury suites were overhauled to provide ample seating, flat screen televisions, retractable glass windows, catering and beverage service, and a private wagering machine. Just below the luxury suites, 1,200 renovated box seats offer racing enthusiasts an up-close view of the action.
Throughout the renovation, Santa Anita worked closely with the Los Angeles Conservancy to ensure classic spaces like the legendary Chandelier Room stayed true to the park’s 1930’s roots. The glittering Chandelier Room was meticulously restored and modernized into a central gathering place for guests to enjoy craft cocktails, light bites and panoramic views of exhilarating live races.
Vignettes and showpieces were added throughout the venue to bring to mind its history. Showcased near the Chandelier Room is an original Harley-Davidson motorcycle and sidecar, which honors the year of the park’s inception. Hidden within the park is a newly-added invitation-only speakeasy, accessed through a non-descript door that leads to a space furnished with leather couches and a polished bar.
In November 2016, Santa Anita will open its doors to host the 2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the fourth time in five years. The race is one of the top thoroughbred racing events.
