Lucie Stern Community Center
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1305 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Contact: Facility Rentals
Phone: 650/463-4900
www.cityofpaloalto.org
Request a proposal for your event from Lucie Stern Community Center
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Why We Like This Place
With its white-stucco archways, red tile roof and vibrant courtyard, the Lucie Stern Center is a gracious example of Spanish-Mediterranean architecture. Designed by Birge Clark and donated by Lucie Stern, an heir of Levi Strauss, it was originally built in 1931 as a community theater. But since then, the Center has matured into a welcoming hacienda that offers a variety of options for weddings.
You can rent individual areas or the whole center. For instance, if your wedding is small and informal, consider having it in the mid-sized Community Room, whose windows overlook a Mission-style promenade. The adjacent patio, which is enclosed by the U-shaped building and a vine-covered brick wall, has a two-tiered lawn bordered by an array of colorful flowers. The upper level is an ideal spot for your ceremony or live entertainment. Another choice for an intimate event is the Fireside Room. It features a large fireplace constructed of brick and stucco, and also adjoins the patio.
If you rent the entire Center, you have carte blanche to utilize its event spaces any way you like. One of the most popular areas for gathering during a celebration is the Municipal Courtyard, a brick-paved retreat surrounded by flowers of every conceivable color. Enhancing this picturesque setting is the majestic stucco theater, standing tall in the background—it’s evocative of a centuries-old Spanish church.
From the courtyard, guests walk through double glass doors into the Lucie Stern Center Ballroom, a large space complete with beautiful hardwood floors, dark wood wainscoting and two tiled fireplaces. Done in a rustic, early-California style, the room has a cathedral ceiling with exposed wooden beams and six cylindrical chandeliers crafted of black wrought iron. A row of windows overlooks the lush lawn in front of the facility.
From the blooming white roses at the courtyard entry to the open-air promenade and Mission-style rooms, the Lucie Stern Center is a classic Old World setting. And it’s this abundance of old-fashioned elements that makes the Center such a charming spot for weddings.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
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Max. Seated Indoors: 300 Max. Seated Outdoors: 250 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 200 Max. Seated Outdoors: 150 Max. Standing Indoors: 300 Max. Standing Outdoors: 200 |
Max. Seated: 300 |
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Fees & Deposits
A reservation deposit in the amount of $300–1,000 (depending if alcohol is being served) is due within 10 days of obtaining an approved permit. The balance is due in 2 payments; the final payment is payable 4 weeks prior to the event. If a cancellation occurs, 33% of the total fees and charges is nonrefundable. Cancellations within 2 weeks of an event receive no refund. The 5-hour exclusive use fee ranges $1,000–1,250 for Palo Alto residents, $1,500–2,000 for non-residents. Additional costs range $190–300/hour depending on if the renter is a Palo Alto resident or not. If you don’t rent the entire facility, individual rooms can be rented on an hourly basis; call for rates. A $20–25/hour fee is charged for a city employee to be on premises during the event.
Availability
Year-round, daily, 6am–1am.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOSites UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYOKitchen Facilities: fully equipped Tables & Chairs: most provided or through caterer Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO or through caterer Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: ballroom Bride’s Dressing Area: no Meeting Equipment: BYO or CBA Parking: ample on-site Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: emergency use only Outdoor Night Lighting: yes Outdoor Cooking Facilities: through caterer Cleanup: caterer or renter View: garden patio |
Amplified MusicIndoorsOutdoors w/ Restrictions Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsGarden Patio/CourtyardSite TypeCommunity Center/Civic BldgHistoric/Landmark Building Ballroom RestrictionsAlcohol: BYO WBCSmoking: outside only Music: amplified OK with restrictions Wheelchair Access: yes Insurance: extra liability required |
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650/463-4900
www.cityofpaloalto.org
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