BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

2010 Preview: Washington's 10 Most Anticipated New and Updated Venues

Walter Nicholls
January 6, 2010
Following a year of steady openings, 2010 has a slew of bigger and better venues on the horizon, suitable for every type of event. Here are 10 to watch for, listed in the order of their scheduled debuts.
 
1. For its first venue outside New York, the Fireman Hospitality Group will open Bond 45 at National Harbor later this month. In addition to a sweeping Potomac River view, the 215-seat Italian steak and seafood house gets a 1930s patina from its tin ceiling, mosaic tile floors, and smoked mirrors. There are four semiprivate glass-enclosed rooms and a 60-seat patio.

2. In stages beginning this month, the 44-year-old Hilton Washington will unveil the results of a $140 million top-to-bottom renovation this year. January brings the opening of the Heights Executive Meeting Center, the Concourse Level, 1,070 revamped guest rooms, and the new District Line Restaurant & Bar. Come June, the 30,000-square-foot multipurpose Columbia Hall opens, along with the Heights Courtyard and Gardens and the Terrace Meeting Suites.

3. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is set to expand in February with 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space in several parts of the venue, including the East and West Registration areas near the Grand Lobby and the upper levels overlooking 7th and 9th Streets. The project includes new custom carpeting, upgraded lighting, electrical and sound systems, and a state-of-the-art partition wall system.

4. Also in February, after a four-year wait, noted local chef Roberto Donna will open the 6,100-square-foot Galileo III in the former Butterfield 9 space. The 80-seat eatery includes a flexible 45-seat private dining room, a fireplace, an open kitchen, and a color scheme of copper and sienna. In addition to the chef’s seasonal menus of traditional Italian fare with a lighter modern touch, 100 dishes, such as suckling pig, will be available for preorder via the restaurant’s Web site.  

5. In April, Paris-based George V Entertainment brings an outpost of its Buddha Bar to Mount Vernon Square. The 9,500-square-foot space is comprised of a 170-seat restaurant and a 50-seat lounge, decorated with crimson velvet, low lighting, Asian tattoo murals, and signature gold Buddha statue at its center. The menu is Asian with French influences. A 60-seat sunken patio is also in the plans.  

6. Opening in May, Penn Quarter adds another Latin venue with the more than 10,000-square-foot Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, which promises 1950s Havana decor and live music and dancers. Staff will serve innovative Latin cuisine in a 200-seat dining room decorated with murals of Cuban life. Plans call for a 46-seat bar and lounge with an extensive rum selection, as well as a 66-seat sidewalk café.  

7. Budgeted at $9 million, the super-sized Carmine’s opens in Penn Quarter in spring. The 670-seat family-style Italian eatery from New York-based Alicart Restaurant Group will have a 40-seat bar, 50-seat cocktail lounge, and eight private rooms. Sliding wall units will accommodate groups of various sizes in the 20,000-square-foot venue.  

8. When June rolls around, George Mason University in Fairfax plans to open the 148-room Mason Inn & Conference Center Hotel on its campus. The property will have a 175-seat restaurant and private dining room for 20. The design team is working with a color palette of olive , orange, red, and gold in the 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, which will accommodate as many as 450 guests.  

9. The owners of Local 16 have an August opening in mind for the tentatively titled Table 14—an 80-seat farm-to-table restaurant and bar coming to the 14th Street corridor. Walls of exposed brick and architectural details of the former 1900’s department store are preserved in the 5,000-square-foot trilevel space, which includes room for 30 on the roof deck.   

10. Sporting a dramatic cantilevered roof, and already a landmark on the Potomac River waterfront in Southwest, the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater opens this fall with 200,000 square feet of revitalized and new space. Joining the updated 683-seat Fichandler Stage and refitted 514-seat Kreeger Theater will be the oval-shaped 200-seat Kogod Cradle as well as a large lobby, classrooms, and rehearsal halls.  

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
Rendering: Courtesy of Arena Stage
The expanded, 200,000-square-foot Arena Stage Mead Center has three theaters, a common lobby, classrooms, and rehearsal halls.
The expanded, 200,000-square-foot Arena Stage Mead Center has three theaters, a common lobby, classrooms, and rehearsal halls.
Rendering: Courtesy of Arena Stage
At National Harbor, the 215-seat Italian steak and seafood house Bond 45 has four semiprivate dining rooms.
At National Harbor, the 215-seat Italian steak and seafood house Bond 45 has four semiprivate dining rooms.
Rendering: Courtesy of Bond 45
Washington Convention Center's 40,000-square-foot expansion includes custom carpet, upgraded lighting, and a state-of-the-art partition wall system.
Washington Convention Center's 40,000-square-foot expansion includes custom carpet, upgraded lighting, and a state-of-the-art partition wall system.
Rendering: Courtesy of Washington Convention Center
Cuba Libre in Penn Quarter has 1950s-style Cuban decor, entertainment, and an extensive rum menu.
Cuba Libre in Penn Quarter has 1950s-style Cuban decor, entertainment, and an extensive rum menu.
Rendering: Courtesy of Cuba Libre
George Mason University's Mason Inn brings 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space to Fairfax.
George Mason University's Mason Inn brings 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space to Fairfax.
Rendering: Courtesy George Mason University
Roberto Donna's 80-seat Galileo III has a flexible 45-seat private dining room.
Roberto Donna's 80-seat Galileo III has a flexible 45-seat private dining room.
Rendering: Courtesy of Roberto Donna
Latest in Event Design & Decor
'Choose a location where you can offer respite for guests—whether that’s shade elements, indoor-outdoor flow, or partial coverage,' Carlisi suggests. 'It’s all about asking: How many options do we have, and how many ways can we use the space creatively?”
Event Design & Decor
7 Smart Ways to Beat the Heat at Outdoor Events
Rosé Day Los Angeles took place on June 14. The event is produced by an experienced hospitality team led by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions; nightlife visionaries Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett; Tony Schubert of Event Eleven; and culinary icon Marc Forgione.
Event Design & Decor
Inside Rosé Day LA: How This Luxe Lifestyle Event Became a Must-Attend for Brands
Talk about an over-the-top birthday party: In 2019, philanthropists Christine and Gabriel Chiu hosted a carnival-inspired bash at a children's museum in Santa Monica, Calif., for their son's first birthday. The Chius worked with Aliana Events to produce the event, inspired by the Santa Monica Pier, with carnival games, an arcade, puppets, and this oversized Ferris wheel filled with flowers. See more: This Toddler's Birthday Party Had a Gucci Claw Machine
Event Design & Decor
Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance
BET's 45th anniversary dinner was held on June 7 at the Beverly Wilshire.
Event Design & Decor
How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future
Related Stories
The Four Seasons ' $33 million makeover
Event Design & Decor
2010 Preview: Los Angeles's 9 Most Anticipated New and Updated Venues
Blade
Event Design & Decor
5 Fancy South Beach Restaurants
Kehoe's upside-down amaryllis centerpiece
Event Design & Decor
Decor Focuses on Cause at Toned-Down Children's Memorial Ball
The Choral Arts Society's benefit dinner
Event Design & Decor
Chagall Painting Inspires Look (and Lighting) at Choral Arts Society Benefit
More in Event Design & Decor
Event Design & Decor
7 Smart Ways to Beat the Heat at Outdoor Events
Atlanta-based event designer Frank Carlisi shares pro tips for keeping guests cool, your food fresh, and the vibe polished when temps rise.
'Choose a location where you can offer respite for guests—whether that’s shade elements, indoor-outdoor flow, or partial coverage,' Carlisi suggests. 'It’s all about asking: How many options do we have, and how many ways can we use the space creatively?”
Event Design & Decor
Inside Rosé Day LA: How This Luxe Lifestyle Event Became a Must-Attend for Brands
From over-the-top floral displays to a skydiving stunt next to a Formula 1 car, here’s how Rosé Day LA continues to raise the bar for experiential design, sponsor integration, and strategic luxury.
Rosé Day Los Angeles took place on June 14. The event is produced by an experienced hospitality team led by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions; nightlife visionaries Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett; Tony Schubert of Event Eleven; and culinary icon Marc Forgione.
Event Design & Decor
Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance
Tackle this tried-and-true theme with decor ideas that walk the tightrope between fun and fashionable.
Talk about an over-the-top birthday party: In 2019, philanthropists Christine and Gabriel Chiu hosted a carnival-inspired bash at a children's museum in Santa Monica, Calif., for their son's first birthday. The Chius worked with Aliana Events to produce the event, inspired by the Santa Monica Pier, with carnival games, an arcade, puppets, and this oversized Ferris wheel filled with flowers. See more: This Toddler's Birthday Party Had a Gucci Claw Machine
Event Design & Decor
How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future
A rich color palette, archival footage, and a carefully curated performance lineup brought legacy and innovation together for this 480-guest celebration of BET’s 45th year.
BET's 45th anniversary dinner was held on June 7 at the Beverly Wilshire.
Event Design & Decor
Why Guests Wore Sneakers to This Black-Tie Gala
At the California Science Center’s 26th annual Discovery Ball, attendees enjoyed Dodger Dogs, danced on a basketball court, and raised paddles—or foam fingers—for a good cause.
The gala took place on April 26, with a sports-centric design and production from the museum's internal events team.
Event Design & Decor
8 Steal-Worthy Event Ideas BizBash Spotted on Instagram
Take a peek at Instagram photos full of wow-worthy event ideas to serve as inspiration for your next gathering.
Enso Creative
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
40 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From YouTube, Backstreet Boys, and More
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Comic-Con 2025: How Brands Turned Downtown San Diego Into a Fandom Playground
Sports
MLB All-Star Week 2025: See the Pitch-Perfect Experiences Brands Created for Baseball Fans
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Tales of the Cocktail 2025: See How These Brands Stood Out From the Crowd
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: July 2025
Brands & Event Pros
Meet the BizBash Most Influential Event Profs of the Past 25 Years
Event Design & Decor
‘Feathers Galore’: Step Inside the Colorful Carnaval Ambiance of City Harvest’s Annual Gala
The NYC food rescue organization hosted its yearly fundraising event, which featured a vibrant tropical theme inspired by lively cultural celebrations.
Projection mapping helped immerse guests into the theme.
Event Design & Decor
This Historic Theater Turned a 100-Year Milestone Into a One-of-a-Kind Gala
The Pasadena Playhouse celebrated its centennial with a bold, unconventional gala featuring immersive projection mapping and a surprise escrow announcement—all while shattering fundraising records.
While officially buying the building before the gala was always the goal, event planner Sam Palmer was careful to ensure the gathering would be successful even if the timing didn’t work out. “We had a million different plans, because quite frankly, a million details needed to go right for that to happen,' he said. 'Our leadership and board worked very, very hard to get us across the finish line, and it was a beautiful moment.”
Event Design & Decor
See Inside This Year’s Bright Blue Public Art Fund Party
The annual spring benefit maintained its playful energy with pingpong tables and ice cream bars.
Blue hues covered everything from the menus to decorative textiles to pingpong tabletops.
Event Design & Decor
Renowned Event Designer David Stark Breaks Down His Creative Process
What inspires one of the industry’s most creative minds? The chief creative officer of David Stark Design and Production walks us through the design rules he actually follows—and the ones he ignores.
For a Kiehl’s event, Stark turned larger-than-life calendula products into striking art pieces, which were overflowing with flowers as a nod to the brand's natural ingredients.
Event Design & Decor
12 Desert-Inspired Event Ideas From This Skincare Brand's Dreamy Influencer Trip
Native whisked 15 beauty editors to an Arizona resort to test how moisturizing its new products really are.
The welcome dinner took place at a communal table flecked with decor in desert-inspired hues. The Valley handled furniture rentals, while Let’s Bash provided tabletop rentals.
Event Design & Decor
See Inside HBO's Stunning 'The White Lotus' Premiere Event
HBO and UNBOXED GROUP transformed a Hollywood soundstage into a lush Thai resort for the HBO series' highly anticipated season three premiere.
'The umbrella ceiling was a visual highlight and one of our favorite design elements,' said UNBOXED GROUP's Kyle Absolom. 'It featured over 600 white umbrellas, backlit to create a soft glow in that area.'
Page 1 of 271
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.