History

The Monterey Conference Center reflects the City of Monterey’s continued tradition of congenial hospitality, and has provided its citizens elegant facilities for meetings and cultural activities. The Center was constructed by the City of Monterey under contract to the Monterey Urban Renewal Agency for the purpose of giving impetus to the revitalization of downtown Monterey, providing facilities to meet the needs of medium size conferences, and to advance the recreational and cultural opportunities of the Community.

The $8,000,000 Center was financed by accumulated room tax funds, a $5,000,000 bond issue and $1,000,000 in general revenue sharing funds. The facility was designed by Architects: Von Bourg, Nakamura, Karney and Katsura, Architects of Oakland. Twelve separate prime contracts were awarded to assure quality control over the facility systems, fixtures, and furnishings. Carl W. Olson & Sons, Menlo Park, was the primary construction contractor.

Because of the Conference Center's proximity to the coast, and because it is located in a National Historic Landmark area, the construction plans were approved by the State and Regional Coastal Conservation Commissions, the National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Groundbreaking was held on January 20, 1975, and festive events opened the facility on April 30, 1977.

In order to minimize the size of the project, the adjacent Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay (formally known as the Doubletree Hotel), which was planned as a companion piece to revitalize downtown, shares a major ballroom under contract with the City; and portions of the Hotel are built on air rights above parts of the Conference Center. Operating costs of the Center are paid totally from revenues generated and hotel room tax revenue the City receives.