Project Reveal: St Paul RiverCentre

The transformation of RiverCentre was a project that challenged us in all the best ways. Designing at this scale carries a unique responsibility. This isn’t just a building — it’s a destination. It hosts conferences, celebrations, community gatherings, and milestone events year-round, and every square foot needed to work harder, feel warmer, and function more intuitively.

PROJECT SCOPE/THE STORY & THE VISION

This project spanned several years and required thoughtful coordination around evolving budgets, event schedules, and phased timing. Working within those parameters pushed us to be strategic and intentional with every decision, ensuring that each update delivered maximum impact while respecting the operational needs of a venue that is constantly in use.

When we were first brought in, one of the biggest challenges to address was the lack of visual continuity throughout the building. Different areas featured competing color palettes — reds, blues, purples, browns, yellows — making the space feel disconnected rather than cohesive. It became clear early on that this renovation needed more than updated finishes. It needed a clear design story that could unify the entire venue.

We worked closely with the marketing team to help develop a color direction that aligned with their evolving branding, including the fonts, graphics, and overall signage design used throughout the building. It was important that the interior reflected both the local environment and RiverCentre’s commitment to sustainability. We introduced a steel blue as the primary accent color, inspired by the Mississippi River, to create a sense of calm, consistency, and connection across the venue. This color became a thread that ties the spaces together while reinforcing the identity of the destination itself.

From the beginning, the goal wasn’t to completely reinvent RiverCentre — it was to refine it. To enhance the way the building flows, the way it feels, and the way it supports both large-scale events and smaller, more intimate gatherings.

THROUGHOUT

One of the most impactful updates was installing new carpet throughout the entire venue. In a space of this size, flooring does more than cover the ground — it defines movement, improves acoustics, and visually connects one area to the next. The updated carpet pattern brings cohesion across expansive corridors and gathering spaces while subtly guiding circulation, immediately refreshing the environment and setting the tone for everything else to come.

Sustainability was an important consideration throughout this process. The new carpeting is made from recycled materials, helping reduce environmental impact while still delivering the durability required for a high-traffic venue. Whenever possible, we chose to reuse rather than replace, refinishing existing pieces and selecting materials designed for long-term performance. Several circulation furniture pieces were reupholstered and reused, while additional seating was introduced to create natural gathering areas without disrupting the flow of the building. All new lighting fixtures were specified with energy-efficient LED technology, supporting RiverCentre’s commitment to responsible, forward-thinking design. These updates allowed the space to feel refreshed while still honoring the venue’s sustainability goals.

Wayfinding was another major focus. Large venues can easily feel overwhelming, so we introduced all-new signage designed to feel architectural rather than applied. Clean lines, modern typography, and warm materials help guests navigate effortlessly.

Alongside the new signage, we refreshed the wall color throughout the venue. What was once a yellow-toned, creamy beige has been replaced with a soft, balanced white that feels brighter without being harsh. This subtle shift made an incredible difference — instantly lightening the environment and creating a more modern, intentional backdrop for events of every kind. When signage and finishes work together thoughtfully, they don’t compete for attention — they simply make the experience seamless.

That shift in tone extended beyond paint and signage and into the architectural materials themselves.

Throughout the venue, walls were repaneled in a more modern, warm wood finish. This change in materiality dramatically transformed the atmosphere. The previous finishes felt flat and dated; the new faux-wood application introduces depth, richness, and a hospitality-forward warmth that softens the scale of the building. Wood has a way of humanizing large environments, creating a balance between expansiveness and intimacy.

HEADWATERS CAFE

Headwaters Café was another space that needed a complete reimagining. The existing café felt tired and no longer reflected the quality of the food being served. RiverCentre had begun shifting toward fresh, wholesome, farm-to-table style offerings, but the environment still felt like a typical convention center concession area.

Our goal was for guests to see the café from across the hall and immediately understand that this was something different. We wanted the space to communicate freshness, quality, and intention before anyone even read the menu. We took inspiration from California-style fresh food delis, using lighter finishes, cleaner lines, and natural materials to create an atmosphere that feels bright, healthy, and inviting.

The dining area was fully reworked with updated finishes, improved circulation, and new furniture selections that allow the space to flex during high-traffic events.

One of the standout features of the café is the grow pod, which produces fresh greens right on site. It’s not only functional and sustainable, but also a beautiful visual moment — a conversation piece that reinforces freshness and innovation in a way that feels authentic to the space. Now the café looks as fresh as the food tastes.

Then

and Now

LOUNGE

Another favorite transformation of ours was turning a former storage area into a fully realized lounge. This space is now color-drenched, enveloped in a rich, moody tone that instantly shifts the energy from open and expansive to intimate and inviting.

We layered in a variety of seating arrangements to support different types of gatherings — pre-event cocktails, casual networking, breakout conversations, or private hosting moments. The furniture selections were intentional, creating flexibility without sacrificing style. What was once purely utilitarian is now a destination within the venue itself.

Before & During

The Vision

and Now

317 OVERLOOK

Extending beyond the lounge, the 317 Overlook area also received significant attention. Positioned next to the newly created lounge and serving as the entry point to three large meeting rooms — 10, 11, and 12 — this space holds tremendous potential. It needed to feel welcoming, flexible, and comfortable for a wide range of uses.

We introduced new lighting and thoughtfully selected furniture to completely shift the atmosphere. What once felt transitional now feels intentional. Multiple seating settings allow guests to gather before meetings, host informal conversations, or create breakout moments during larger events. The space now supports many different ways of gathering — from casual networking to structured pre-event hosting.

With its proximity to the lounge and major meeting rooms, the opportunities for use are truly endless. It’s no longer just a corridor between destinations — it’s part of the experience itself.

THE ECO WALL

The Eco Wall — a space that highlights RiverCentre’s strong commitment to sustainability — was thoughtfully refined as part of the renovation. Environmental stewardship plays a significant role in the venue’s mission, and we wanted this area to reflect that importance.

We incorporated additional storage to support functionality while keeping the presentation polished and intentional. A textured wallcovering introduces warmth and dimension, subtly framing the sustainability messaging and allowing it to feel fully integrated into the architecture of the space.

It’s a quiet but powerful update — one that supports both the mission and the material story of the project.

The result is a venue that feels cohesive, modern, and elevated — thoughtfully designed to support everything from intimate gatherings to citywide events with equal ease.

We are incredibly proud of this transformation and grateful for the trust placed in us to help shape the next chapter of RiverCentre. Projects at this scale require vision, collaboration, and attention to countless details, and seeing it all come together is what makes this work so rewarding.

We can’t wait to see the events, conversations, and celebrations this refreshed space will hold in the years ahead.

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XO,

Amy & The Interior Impressions Team

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