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 October, 2003. Austin, Texas. -- Alongside Town Lake in downtown Austin sits the new Lester E. Palmer Events Center and Parking Garage, owned and operated by the city of Austin. The 131,000 square foot multi-use events center, which resembles a “Pavilion in the Park,” opened its doors to the public in June, 2002, and it's enjoyed a busy first year.
A convenient downtown Austin location and a workable floor plan, along with the beautiful park setting and spectacular views, make the PEC an ideal choice for many venues. The PEC features 70,000 square feet of exhibit space that can be divided into two halls of 45,000 and 25,000 square feet. Two lobbies offer pre-function space and concessions.
The facility is being used for public consumer shows, trade shows, conferences, receptions, banquets, concerts, society balls and dances. Austinites see a lot of familiar faces when they attend events at the PEC, as the majority of clients from Palmer Auditorium transferred their business to the newer facility.
Popular consumer shows include the Junior League's Christmas Affair, the Austin Book and Paper Show, City-Wide Garage Sales, the Custom Car & Hot Rod Show, the Austin Doll and Toy Show, food shows, cat shows, bridal shows, book fairs, and Christmas bazaars. The Women's Symphony League transforms the PEC's exhibit hall into an elaborate ballroom setting for their annual Jewel Ball. Other events include concerts, charity affairs, business trade shows, banquets, receptions, conferences, school science festivals, and public dances.
Upper level meeting rooms feature pre-function space and balconies that offer some of the best views of downtown Austin and Town Lake. With a combined square footage of 5,000 square feet, these meeting rooms are also ideal for receptions, dinners and other special occasions.
The building's gently sloping, asymmetrical shade roof creates a generous wrap-around “porch,” that provides additional outdoor event space. The building materials reflect Austin's casual and local character with natural limestone, wood trusses and decking, textured concrete, and galvanized metal roofing. Inside curtain wall windows allow ample natural light. Interior details include stone mosaic coloring and limestone carvings by local artisans.
The north entrance to the adjacent 1,200-space PEC Parking Garage is on Riverside Drive, near South First Street. The south entrance is on Barton Springs Road, between Bouldin and Dawson streets. A drop-off circular drive on Barton Springs Road provides easy access to the facility's main entrance.
The PEC and Parking Garage are part of Town Lake Park along with parkland development and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. |
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