Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles at 506 S. Grand, the bowl continues to be known as the main convention arena of the world-renowned Biltmore Millennium Hotel. It is a popular venue for high-profile events, hosting Democratic National Conventions, Grammy Awards, political fundraisers, product presentations and other gatherings that draw large crowds.

This is the second renovation of the bowl since its initial construction in 1923. At that time, the hotel was the largest and grandest hotel west of Chicago. The hotel’s bowl was its main focal point, with its exquisite decor and ample space. In the 1950s, the Biltmore Bowl was destroyed by fire. The once a lavishly designed room was replaced with non-descript architect and interior design. R.D. Olson Construction and designer, Stonehill & Taylor Architects, have returned the room to its original grandeur.

“We have revived the magnificence of the bowl by recreating its historical and dramatic essence using the tools and techniques representative of a whole new era in construction and design,” said Dennis Reyling, president, R.D. Olson Construction.

To do this, Olson and Stonehill & Taylor enveloped elements of the structure’s colorful past and Spanish-Italian Renaissance flavor within the walls of a completely modern facility. Glass reinforced gypsum columns, sweeping balconies, richly textured fabric wall coverings, custom carpet and a 12-foot-in-diameter chandelier give the bowl a vivid early-period flare, while a new sound system and multifunctional lighting designed to enhance all types of events from new product presentations to intimate dinners incorporate the latest in technological components.

The renovation included dividing the 13,000-square-foot space into a 4,000-square-foot foyer and 9,000-square-foot bowl designed to house 796 guests. While the bowl is complete, Olson is in the process of making it compliant with the ADA. When finished, it will feature a wheelchair lift at ground level, connecting to the South Galleria below. Olson is also installing a hydraulic elevator to link all convention levels, again, instrumental in assisting people with disabilities.