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37,000-square-foot WaterFire Arts Center mixes industrial rawness with modern elements.

Initially built in 1929 for the US Rubber Company as a multi-purpose manufacturing facility, WaterFire Providence completed renovation of the WaterFire Arts Center in the summer of 2017.

The preserved industrial framework of the building remains exposed with steel beams creating a beautiful vaulted ceiling in the Main Hall. Historic wood roof panels, paint swatches, and period bricks can also be found intact allowing for a distinctive antique aesthetic for any style of event.

The historic components compliment contemporary finishes designed in the style of early modernist painter Piet Mondrian who famously completed his work “Composition No. III, with Red, Blue, Yellow, and Black” in 1929, the same year that the building was constructed. The geometric patterns in the painting are mimicked in the extensive floor-to-ceiling windows and the bold primary colors in the large contemporary fixtures throughout the building.

For high capacity events, your rental of the Main Hall will also include access to the adjacent Visitor Center providing a unique flexibility for a grand entrance, coat check, check-in, cocktail hour, bridal suite, or backstage! The functional garage door dividing these rooms often acts a great reveal component for your guests to unveil a new portion of the event or unexpected theatrical element.

Also home to the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization WaterFire Providence, any rental of the WaterFire Arts Center directly supports the mission and operational costs of the organization!

Main Hall | Visitor Center | Roof Deck

The Main Hall

A cathedral-like space with vestiges of Rhode Island industrial history

The high ceilings and massive windows of the Main Hall are a perfect blend of the old and new. Impeccably renovated, this space brings the best of the past into the present and future. Industrial details show the rich history of this building’s industrial past while clean lines and contemporary finishes clearly define this space as a cutting-edge event venue.

Floor Plan | Contact Us

FEATURES

Original 1929 steel and brick structure
Versatile, open floor plan exhibition hall
Complimentary WiFi access
Truss access for lighting and design elements
Contemporary finishes in the style of modernist painter Piet Mondrian

CAPACITY

1,200 guests for Cocktail Reception
1,000 guests for Presentation or ceremony
700 guests for Plated Dinner

The Visitor Center

Flexible and Functional!

The Visitor Center is a perfect space to welcome guests to a cocktail party or to use as a lecture hall. The room features large windows, with curtains, and is connected directly to the South Courtyard. Access to the Roof Deck and a pass-through to the Main Hall are available along with a small service kitchen. Presentation facilities including projector and large projection screen are also options in this room.