Articles

Historic Atascadero City Hall

Grand Opening

The City of Atascadero is pleased to announce two special grand opening celebrations as the doors to the Historic Rotunda building are scheduled to officially re-open as the City Administration Building. This magnificent structure is a significant part of Atascadero’s history.  After sustaining significant damage in the 2003 San Simeon earthquake, it has now been completely restored and retrofitted, and is truly a historic masterpiece on California’s Central Coast.  The final detailing is being completed, and the doors will re-open to the public this August. The ceiling of the lower rotunda is just one example of the grandeur of this building – it is captivating, with the original ornamental ceiling now colorfully painted to create depth, enhance the details and add artistic charm to the space. The building is truly a masterpiece that the public is encouraged to visit once it is open. 

Mayor Tom O’Malley states that the City has "literally built the foundation for the Centennial Celebration and is paving the way to a successful future for our City”. He continues, “The rehabilitation of this truly beautiful and historic building, which is a tangible link to our past and the founding of this community, is something we’re extremely proud of.  On behalf of the entire council, I can state that we are very happy to be able to once again share it with the public that it was always intended to serve”.  

The first scheduled Grand Opening event is a very special preview, termed “An Elegant Evening at the Rotunda”, which will take place the evening of Friday, August 2^nd.  The Elegant Evening is a unique opportunity for guests to experience the beautiful Historic City Hall before the furniture and City staff has moved back in. As guests embark on a special tour of each room of the building, they will participate in a progressive dinner, experiencing a different course in each wing of the building, with dessert in the upper rotunda.  This is a semi-formal event with a special program, silent auction and dancing.  Tickets are $100 per person with proceeds from this event benefitting the historic Fountain Restoration Project.  

Quantities for tickets to the Elegant Evening are limited and may be purchased starting Wednesday, May 1^st at the current City Hall located at 6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

After the Elegant Evening Grand Opening Preview, City staff and services will begin the herculean task of moving back into the building.  Once the furniture and staff are in place, the City Administration will officially open to the public with a daylong Grand Opening celebration on Tuesday, August 20th.  This event will start off with a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony at 10 am. The public will be free to tour the building at their leisure; staff and docents will be available to answer questions about the history and restoration.

The Atascadero Historical Society will have items on permanent display in the Historic City Hall. Those community members that are not able to attend the Grand Opening on August 20^th are encouraged to schedule a tour at a future time.  The opening of this building is expected to revitalize a significant part of the City’s downtown core.  As tourism in this area continues to grow, the opening of the Historic Rotunda is also an opportunity for visitors to the area to experience a charming part of local history.

A few of the last historic elements yet to be restored are the outdoor fountains that grace the four corners of the building. Original to the structure, they were converted to planters decades ago.  The goal of the Fountain Restoration Project is to return them to their original function as beautiful fountains once again. Donations will be accepted towards the fountain restoration project. Additionally, all funds received through June 1, from the City’s ongoing “Buy a Brick” campaign go toward the Fountain Restoration Project.

It is an additional pleasure to announce that these celebrations are part of the Atascadero Centennial Celebration, marking 100 years since the Colony of Atascadero was founded by E.G. Lewis.  For details on these special events, please call 805-461-5000 or visit www.atascadero.org.

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