San Francisco Design Center Galleria 101 Henry Adams St • San Francisco • CA 94103

The exterior of the Galleria building at the San Francisco Design Center gives you no clue as to what's inside—all you see are sky and trees reflected in a gleaming, four-story façade of more than 700 individual glass panes. Walk through the front doors, however, and you get a sense of what the world would be like if top designers were in charge.

The main event area is directly ahead of you, and it becomes immediately clear that the building's architects made excellent use of the four stories they had to play with. They've created a soaring atrium with a retractable skylight that literally brings the outdoors inside: On nice days, fresh air and sunshine flood in. The whole space radiates warmth and contemporary sophistication thanks to the open feeling, Italian tile floor, and exposed brick walls.

Weddings shine here, whether they're intimate or grand. Smaller receptions have plenty of room to spread out on the main floor, which seems to expand upward to the dramatic 60-foot ceiling. The polished light maple hardwood floor in the center can be used for dining or dancing, while the raised stage is ideal for a band or DJ. There's a built-in beverage bar as well. If you plan to wine and dine hundreds, you can also set tables on the three levels of balconies rising on all sides. Guests thoroughly appreciate the elevated seating, as it provides the perfect vantage for watching the festivities below.

Want to exchange vows here, too? Why not! The atrium makes a lovely setting for a ceremony. Place elegant flower arrangements or rose petals along the aisle, set potted trees laced with lights around the perimeter, or leave the interior just as it is.

The Galleria looks great without decorations, but you can transform it any way you like: Hang a fabric canopy overhead … add colored uplights and a monogram … dazzle your guests with a performer suspended from the ceiling. Asian and Indian weddings often bring in a dance troupe. The accommodating staff welcomes out-of-the-box thinking and encourages you to indulge your imagination.

In addition to weddings, this site can host almost any kind of event. On weekdays the Galleria showcases designer furniture, but on weeknights and weekends it comes into its own as a party venue. Cirque parties with tents and performers fit right in, as do speakeasy events. With its state-of-the-art light system, stage, and versatile seating configurations, it's especially suitable for corporate galas, cocktail receptions, and holiday parties. Not surprisingly, the Galleria has been discovered by high-tech, multimedia companies, and the media, who love the possibilities it offers. They frequently bring in fantastic props and produce large-scale audiovisual presentations to launch a new website or product.

There are so many pluses to this unique location you can do practically anything with it, and entertain groups of 100 to 1,600! So go ahead and fantasize—truth is, for any event where you want a quality production with endless options, the Galleria has the resources, the space and, above all, the style.