Cocktail Reception on the Main Floor
San Jose Civic Outdoor Evening View
San Jose Civic Up Close at Night
San Jose Civic General Session
San Jose Civic Special Event on Main Stage
San Jose Civic Third Floor View of Main Floor
The San Jose Civic is a designated City Landmark, circa 1936, designed by Binder & Curtis in the Spanish California Mission style, whose lobby features painted wooden beams with Native-American designs. The Montgomery Theater is attached to the San Jose Civic. In 1933, Mr. and Mrs. T.S. Montgomery gave the City of San Jose the property where the Civic sits. In 1934, the cost of construction was $500,000, with the Federal Government’s Public Works Fund contributing $112,000 and a bond measure passed by San Jose residents supporting the rest of the $375,000.
If the walls could talk, they would tell stories of political figure appearances including Richard Nixon’s 1970 visit that made national headlines when he was confronted by Anti-War protesters; to the home of prize fights for Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis & Max Bear. In addition to these events, the San Jose Civic was a major stop on for concerts tour the west coast. Artists such The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, The Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys and The Who (started their first US headlining tour at the Civic in 68’) have all played on this stage. Big band leaders Duke Ellington & Harry James have also appeared, and it is rumored that during James’ appearance at the San Jose Civic, there were more than 8,000 people in attendance - 5,000 more than the official capacity of the venue.
The former San Jose Redevelopment Agency, funded $11 million in renovations, with the City of San Jose and San Jose Theater Preservation Fund picking up the rest of the capital investment needed to fully renovate the historic venue, totaling $15 million. Renovations range from patron experience items such as new lighting and sound package, new exterior lighting, new concessions, restoration of restrooms, installation of a Wall of Fame and new signage, new seats, new interior and exterior painting to building operational items including boiler replacement, upgraded dressing rooms, addition of ADA accessible elevator shared with the Montgomery Theater, new security system, new heating system and seismic upgrades.
The renovations were completed in different phases initially starting with the boiler replacement which had not been updated since the original installation in 1936. Garden City construction, a well-known San Jose-based historic renovation general contractor led the second phase of the renovations. Various local construction and design companies assisted with the restoration including: ELS Architecture and Urban Design, San Jose Boiler Works, BBI Engineering, Salas O’Brien, Charles Salter & Associates, Irwin Seating, Clarin Seating, Superior Fire, Legend Theatrical, Rutherford & Chekene Consulting, HM Mechanical Group, The Engineering Enterprise, The Shalleck Collaborative and Topflight Specs.
This intimate, historic indoor venue, located in Downtown San Jose, hosts a variety of shows, concerts, corporate meetings and general sessions, family shows, fundraiser galas, banquet dinners and other events looking for a mid-sized theater with 3,326 seats. The main floor of the San Jose Civic can offer banquet style seated dinners to accommodate up to 500 guests for proms, galas, weddings, or corporate dinners. A variety of spaces within the venue such as the VIP Room (just off of the main stage), and the Sky Bar Lounge (loacted on the 2nd floor of the building overlooking the Covention Center), make it the perfect location for pre or post- show cocktail receptions or media areas or breakout sessions. An array of dressing rooms backstage allow guests to feel at home.
Team San Jose manages the San Jose Civic on behalf of the City of San Jose who owns the venue. Nederlander Concerts, Los Angeles-based concert promoter works in partnership with Team San Jose to promote and attract concerts and special events at the San Jose Civic.
FAST FACTS:
- 3,036 maximum seating capacity, theater-style (2,910 Reserved seating with Section 105, Rows K-S removed to accommodate maximum light and sound mixing area; 3,326 maximum GA configuration including a 20×20 mixing area and GA barricade).
- 1,064 Main Floor seating
- 632 Dress Circle seating (49 obstructed view)
- 1,194 Balcony seating (90 obstructed view)
- 500 Banquet-style event on Main Floor ONLY
- 500 Classroom-style event on Main Floor ONLY
- State-of-the-art sound and HD video systems
- Stage size (WxH): 112’ x 35’
- Stage Proscenium opening (WxH): 49’ 9” x 30’
- 50,000 total sq. ft.
- Additional information available upon request