Riviera Refreshed City facility ready to make new memories by Sandra Landen Machaj
and the space remained empty except for the occasional wedding or meeting. The building was unheated and limited to The one building that most visitors associate with Lake Geneva is the beautiful summer use. Riviera, which stands elegantly on the shore As the years went by the building became more in need of renovating if it was of Geneva Lake in the city’s downtown. going to remain the pride of Lake Geneva. Built in 1932, it was the place where In 2004 the Driehaus fountain with its “everyone” gathered. During the day they angel sculpture and brick patio was placed enjoyed the adjacent beach and used the in front of the Riviera adding another first floor bathhouse to change. In the signature look. Two years ago, the tiled roof evening the upstairs of the Riviera was was replaced. alive with music and dancing. Big name bands of the 40s and 50s such as Glen Miller, Benny Goodman and Louis “This past year major renovations Armstrong, along with vocalists such as were made to the interior of the building Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin made their to make it more usable year-round,” said way to Lake Geneva. As the big band era Mayor Charlene Klein. “Since most of the ended rock and roll took its place and the once-elegant ballroom was transformed and weddings booked here were cancelled last year due to the pandemic it could be done the vibe changed from elegant to rowdy. easily.” The City of Lake Geneva owned the Among the many things needed was building and closed the dance hall in 1979 CORRESPONDENT
Major renovation
a heating system for the second floor ballroom to be used year-round. The restrooms on both the first and second floors needed to be made ADA compliant. Both projects have been completed. The elevator to the second floor was replaced, allowing easier access to the upstairs, which especially important in winter when the only other to arrive into the ballroom had been to climb the outside stairway. “Among the additional changes to the ballroom upstairs was the removal of the 12-inch tiles from the ceiling that were falling. We also replaced the hardwood floor in the ballroom but the original terrazzo floors in the entry way were cleaned and kept,” shared Mayor Klein. The entire room has been given a new look. It was repainted in the art deco colors of 1932. The drapes are being replaced but so far, they have not been hung leaving an
The Riviera, on the shore of Geneva Lake, underwent a renovation earlier this year. The work converted the summer-use ballroom on the second floor to a year-round event venue. SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes
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