Good Bones: The Craneway at Ford Point, Richmond, California

First is its setting. The glass pavilion known as The Craneway sits like a large diamond in the tiara of the San Francisco Bay. The convenience of its own bayside dock adds the quay’s hubbub of maritime life to the scene.

Second is its history. In 1932, in the Craneway’s first incarnation, Mr. Henry Ford himself and his humanist architect Albert Kahn sculpted a Ford Model A plant. At the end of the main plant, they placed the huge craneway, designed for unloading coil steel from railroad cars that became the parts of the Model A.

In 1943, along came Rosie. Rosies built and loaded jeeps and tanks on liberty ships for the Pacific Theater of World War II. The resulting wartime voluntary desegregation of working America changed the homeland forever.

Third, is its interior dimensioning, divisable into 4 beautiful spaces accommodating up to 5000 people.

Next, is the simple acoustics, lighting, and sound system that act as a canvas for anyone to elegantly paint their dream event or concert. Originally, the Craneway had the same cavernous reverb as St. Peter's. With the help of Meyer Sound, it has lowered to acceptable 2-ish seconds, good for almost every type of music and every listener (sorry, John), and for a wide range of music, majestic.

Now, The Craneway becomes its newest incarnation, a place to gather, eat, drink, and enjoy. In health, peace, and a breath-taking environment.

If you want to do an event, concert, party, meeting, convention, etc. for 500-5000 people, check it out at www.craneway.com.

-E

Meet John Griswold, Craneway's Production Director

Upon hearing about Craneway (CW) two years ago, I was invited for a visit and was awe inspired by what I found. This building is a true jewel on the San Fran Bay. After hearing of the ideas and technical plans for CW, I knew I wanted to be involved. After many of years on the road in concert production, I'd been looking for the perfect facility to get involved with and reduce my touring time. I truly found it at Craneway.

One of the first problems to overcome at CW was the serious reverberation with a building of metal & glass. Extensive sound baffleling was installed throughout the venue solving that problem. Most audio engineers and musicians who have heard the building now agree that this building sounds amazingly good.

Next awe inspiring are the technical amenities that have been installed. The building has three -400 amp company switch locations each isolated and spread through the building. No need to run hundreds of feet of feeder cable.

Next you will find patch panels spread throughout the CW inside and outside. These panels are stuffed with XLR audio/audio visual/fiber optics/IT/intercom/ satellite coax/and dmx control. dmx enables your lighting console to take control of the CW's Source 4 pars lighting system for either houselight control or using CW's system to add to your show.

Next is the open ceiling with tons of steel girders and beams to hang your show from. Weight limits are sufficient to hold even the largest of touring productions. The two massive cranes once used to lift army tanks still hang. These cranes can now double as spotlight or camera platforms. The two cranes also hold electric controlled grand curtains to partition the CW for smaller events.

Another great amenity is the ease of load in/load out. There are 8 large doors to load in spread 180° around the building.

Not to mention that the entire Ford Point facility is solar powered producing one megawatt of power.

Last but not least is the built in soul this historic building has. Most people sense this once walking into the building.

With a view of the San Fran Bay rivaled by none, CW will certainly have an impact on entertainment in the bay area for years to come.

Musically Yours,

John Griswold

Production Director, The Craneway Pavilion

john@craneway.com

Introducing the Craneway Pavilion

Let us host your next event…

Take a look at the Craneway Pavilion on the scenic San Francisco Bay in the Marina District of Richmond. Our extraordinary venue can accommodate up to 5,000 guests. Clientele include: corporate galas and meetings, music concerts, weddings, fundraisers, performance arts, festivals, film/photo shoots and private events. Our convenient waterfront location, with various transportation options, completes this unique venue package. The Craneway Pavilion is a one-of-a-kind green restoration of the classically styled Ford Assembly Car Plant built in 1930.

In 1932, Henry Ford and Albert Kahn, the great industrial architect of the twentieth century, completed the 525,000 square foot Ford Building in Richmond. The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, the largest assembly plant on the West coast, manufactured Ford Model A cars.

During World War II, the Ford Plant was retooled to produce tanks and jeeps. After the war, the building served briefly as a film set and book depository. Orton Development purchased the building in 2004 and revitalized it with Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects, resulting in the project's National Trust for Historic Preservation design award in 2008.

The 50,000 square foot Bay-front Craneway Pavilion, the southern-most portion of the complex, now offers an amazing event venue in the Bay Area, with stunning architecture and breathtaking views.

Location/Transportation Amenities

• Central Location: 10 minutes from Berkeley, 5 minutes from the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, 20 minutes from the SF Bay Bridge
  
• Green Power: One megawatt rooftop solar power plant
  
• Stunning Views: Waterfront views of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, Oakland, and Berkley's Campanile
  
• Breathtaking Sunset: Classic western sunsets over Angel Island and Mt. Tamalpais
  
• Ample Parking: 1,200 private, secure spots, including 400 valet spots
  
• Direct Private Ferry: Cruise ships are available from San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Marin.
  

Facility Amenities

• Venue capacity: 250 up to 5,000 guests
  
• Venue size: 15,000 to 45,000 square feet
  
• Outdoor space: 10,000 square feet of exterior plaza space, overlooking the Bay
  
• Food and Beverage: Full liquor license, five bars, catering kitchen and restaurant (May 09)
  
• Power: 2,000 amps of dedicated power with isolated grounds including three 400A company switches
  
• AV: 30+ boxes with fiber network, T1 Ethernet network, wireless internet, DMX lighting, XLR balanced audio, house PA, coax video, intercom system
  

Weddings and More Intimate Events

• Venue can be customized for smaller more intimate space with electrically operated curtains
  
• Ample exterior plaza space with breathtaking views of the Bay
  

Concerts

• State of the art fiber optic network for sound, video and Internet
  
• Capacity of up to 5,000 guests
  
• Ability to divide space into three separate rooms for different stages
  

Corporate Galas and Meetings

• Full liquor license and catering kitchen
  
• 45,000 square feet of fully customizable floor space
  
• 1,200 on-site parking spots, with 400 valet
  

Non-Profit Fundraisers

• Special rates are available for the non-profit organization fundraisers
  

Performance Arts

• Symphony hall quality sound by Myer Sound
  
• The Merce Cunningham Group was inspired by the building to develop and perform a unique dance production specifically for the Craneway Pavilion
  
• See New York Times article
  
• See Financial Times article
  

Private Events:

• Let us host your dream event on the breathtaking San Francisco Bay
  

BOOKING, TOURS AND ADDDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT

Rob Nachtwey

Food and Beverage Director

rob@craneway.com

(510) 735-1133