It’s a rags to riches story — vacant lots and abandoned warehouses rise from the ashes to become trendy, thriving neighborhoods. Once-empty streets hum with people, and repurposed and historic venues sparkle with new life.
In every city, these up-and-coming neighborhoods are where meeting attendees want to be. Their rustic venues, plentiful entertainment and signature culture become the best imaginable backdrop for off-sites, receptions and even large events.
Here are five up-and-coming districts across the country planners should keep an eye on.
Santa Fe Railyard
Santa Fe, New Mexico
In the artsy city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a historic railyard has been repurposed as a thriving hub for art, music and community gatherings. It’s the site of everything from weekly farmers markets to yoga classes and movie nights during the summer months. Artisan retail shops, restaurants, a brewery and plenty of green space have cemented the railyard as an important part of Santa Fe’s local culture. There’s also plenty of potential for meetings and events ranging from small celebrations to large special events.
Much of the railyard’s event space can be found north of its street Paseo de Peralta. These outdoor event spaces include the Railyard Plaza, great for performances, outdoor receptions and festivals, as well as a shaded area great for vendors. It offers easy access to the lively surroundings of the railyard, including its shops and restaurants. South of Paseo de Peralta are many of the railyard’s smaller spaces for gatherings, including outdoor picnic spots and the indoor Community Room, which has two garage doors that open onto the park to convert the room to an indoor-outdoor space.
Another appealing offering of the railyard is Sky Railway, which takes passengers for a round-trip train ride along the town’s historic railway. Groups of up to 200 can rent out the train for private events and enjoy live entertainment onboard.
Innovation and Design District/Jewelry District
Providence, Rhode Island
Adjacent to the city’s historic Jewelry District, the Innovation and Design District in Providence, Rhode Island, was created when the stretch of Interstate 195 that ran through the city was relocated, leaving the land open for redevelopment. Since the highway came down in 2011, a pedestrian bridge, numerous shops, and several restaurants and residential buildings have been added, with many more projects underway.
At the center of this redevelopment is the Aloft Providence Downtown, a 175-room hotel with views of the Providence skyline and a rooftop bar and lounge. It has over 3,100 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 2,275-square-foot Assembly Hall with a capacity of 225 attendees. The hotel is connected via courtyard to the Cambridge Innovation Center, which provides 7,200 square feet of venue, coworking and laboratory space. With seven universities, including prestigious Brown University, Providence is considered a regional hub for biotech and living sciences, hosting many academic and medical association meetings.
“That area in particular is becoming a biotech and life sciences hub,” said Tom Riel, senior vice president at the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Warren Alpert Medical School is in that district, and between that and the nursing lab that opened at Providence College, Providence is in high demand for medical groups.”
For evening off-site events or group meals, attendees can cross into the historic Jewelry District, which is also experiencing a resurgence. The city’s convention center, just a few walkable blocks from the Innovation and Design District, is currently undergoing a renovation that will be complete in late 2025.
West End Historic District
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina, is growing, and for good reason. A surge of new inhabitants in recent years can be attributed to the town’s affordability, natural beauty and walkable downtown. Within that charming downtown, the West End Historic District begins on Main Street at the Falls Park on the Reedy (the city’s signature, 30-acre urban park known for its stunning waterfall and a pedestrian bridge overlooking it) and stretches to Fluor Field, home to Greenville’s minor league baseball team. Development in the district began with the 2006 opening of Fluor Field, but it didn’t end there; restaurants, shops and venues have joined the stadium in Greenville’s list of offerings for meetings and events.
“It’s an up-and-coming area of downtown,” said Rebecca Mittleman, director of sales at Visit Greenville SC. “Our downtown ranges about 10 walkable city blocks, and that is an area that’s developing quite a bit.”
Fluor Field is a venue in and of itself, with their on-site events company West End Events planning events for its spaces, from its clubs to its concourses to even its field in the off season. Next door, Gather Greenville is a food hall consisting of shipping containers with different types of food in each container, great for social outings and group meals.
And across the street, Zen offers 12,000 square feet of stylish, sophisticated event space, as well as an outdoor Japanese garden. Adjacent to that is New Realm Brewing, located in a repurposed cigar factory and provides two floors of venue space, as well as an outdoor space with a big screen. It also offers a Brew Room for private dinners and small meetings.
Heartside
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood had humble beginnings as a shantytown for Irish immigrants who helped build the railroads in this Michigan city. Later, it was a prominent shopping district but fell into disrepair in the 1970s and ’80s. Following the opening of the Van Andel Arena in 1996, it entered a period of rapid growth. Today, Heartside’s artsy venue spaces and abundant recreation can add a distinctive flair to meetings and events.
One of its most popular venues is Studio Park, a collection of retail space, restaurants, an outdoor piazza and a nine-screen theater. Groups of up to 300 can rent out the piazza for an outdoor event, such as a concert or movie showing. Studio Park also encompasses Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown, a 155-room hotel with over 2,300 square feet of event space spread across four meeting rooms. The hotel partners with the nearby Rutledge for larger events.
Another popular choice, the Harris Building, dating to 1892, was refashioned as a venue in 2018. The historic charm of its exposed brick and natural hardwood floors makes it a beautiful backdrop for weddings and corporate events.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is one of the neighborhood’s most unconventional event spaces. The food hall features 19 food merchants, a commercial kitchen and several contemporary event spaces. It includes a greenhouse, a banquet room, a garden room and additional smaller meeting rooms, as well as catering and A/V.
“Heartside challenges planners to look at flexible meeting space and step outside the four walls of a convention center and standard meeting rooms,” said Brandy Martin, director of convention services at Experience Grand Rapids.
Kendall Yards
Spokane, Washington
Across the Spokane River from downtown Spokane, Washington, Kendall Yards is a thriving neighborhood frequented by locals. The area was once abandoned railroad yards until a developer saw potential in its gorgeous river views and began the rebuilding process. The neighborhood was designed with an emphasis on sustainability and art, and it has its share of venues for events of all kinds.
“Twenty years ago, this was not a place that people gathered,” said Kate Hudson, public relations manager of Visit Spokane. “Now you have this thriving community. And the best part is it’s right along the river, just north of downtown Spokane, so if you’re having a meeting at the convention center or staying at one of our convention hotels, you can walk to Kendall Yards from downtown.”
Some of Kendall Yards’ best venues coincide with its coolest hangout spots. The Nest, an outdoor event space, facilitates farmers markets on Wednesdays in the warmer months, but it’s also a great place for hosting concerts or outdoor movie nights. The adjacent welcome center is its indoor counterpart. Another popular Kendall Yards venue is Maryhill Winery, a winery, tasting room and bistro with stunning vistas of Spokane from its balcony. The winery does full buyouts for up to 185 guests, but there’s also a smaller, private space for rent that can host 48. My Fresh Basket, one of the neighborhood’s grocery stores, offers upstairs event space for everything from small meetings to cooking classes for up to 30. The nearby Wonder Building, formerly a Wonder Bread factory, offers 12,000 square feet for events, as well as a basement speakeasy and golf simulator.
