Spokane, Wash. – Downtown’s popular shopping, dining and entertainment center will expand its offerings when the Atrium Cafes on 3 at River Park Square opens, introducing a range of specialty eateries and special amenities, and officially completing the final phase of the downtown revitalization project.  

Atrium Cafes on 3, a two-level, 29,000-square-foot specialty food venue, will provide patrons a unique dining experience, incorporating one-of-a-kind food offerings, a special children’s eating area, meeting rooms, custom art features, and a spectacular view of downtown Spokane and the center’s atrium.  It will seat up to 620 people.

“The Atrium Cafes on 3 adds a whole new dimension to the River Park Square experience,” said Bob Robideaux, project director, River Park Square.  We’ve created a new destination that will offer something special for each and every customer.” 

Its first tenant, Panda Express, will open April 8, 2001.  An additional nine food tenants are expected to open throughout the remainder of the year. 
 
The architectural and interior design of the Atrium Cafes on 3 ties into the surrounding downtown historical structures and reflects natural elements of the Inland Northwest.  The space has been designed so customers feel as if they are “Dining in the Park,” and many of its features and elements were inspired by nearby Riverfront Park and other Inland Northwest attributes.  

Nationally recognized architectural firm JPRA Architects, served as the project designer.  Based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the firm specializes in food venue design for urban shopping centers nationwide.

"River Park Square provided a wonderful architectural base to design the Atrium Cafes,” said Eileen Devine, Architect for JPRA.  “We took the existing richness of The Atrium area and designed a space to compliment what exists not only in River Park Square, but also throughout the Spokane community."

The new space features a rich mix of colors and natural materials.  Brick, wood, slate, glass and steel were used to provide a contemporary backdrop for the Cafes, while the seating compliments a park-like setting with a mix of wooden park benches and woven rattan bistro furnishings.  

Amenities featured in the Atrium Cafes on 3 include the Kress Gallery, a separate meeting and dining room with seating for up to 90 people.  Located in the former Kress Department Store building, and adjoining the new River Park Square phase II structure, The Kress Gallery will be available for meetings and special events, such as birthday parties, sports celebrations, and more.  It will also provide general overflow seating as necessary.  A smaller private meeting room with seating for up to eight people will also be available.  

In the public space, a circular children’s area, situated in the center of the main dining area features child-height seating at leaf shaped tables with chalkboards as tabletops.  
Several television monitors will be mounted throughout the dining spaces to provide entertainment options for patrons.           

“Our main goal is to provide an experience that people won’t find anywhere else in Spokane,” said Ron Horton, operations manager of the Atrium Cafes on 3 at River Park Square.  “The selection, convenience and contemporary, lively atmosphere will surely peak people’s interest and their appetites. And if they really look around they’ll be surprised to find some special elements that really make it unique to our region.”
  
River Park Square commissioned artists to design and paint murals as part of the interior space.  Following an extensive search, four local artists were selected to produce art pieces, including Melissa Cole, Ric Gendron, Kay O’Rourke, and Tom Quinn.  While each artist was asked to incorporate an outdoor theme into their design, the individual pieces showcase each artist’s distinctive style.

Atrium Cafes on 3 operating hours will initially be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Operating hours will be assessed on an ongoing basis and may be extended to meet customer needs.

River Park Square and surrounding downtown businesses serve a regional market of more than 1.7 million people.  The new retail center has generated more than $5.4 million in tax and fee revenues for the City of Spokane and services located in the City, has created and retained more than 800 jobs, and has served as a catalyst for downtown revitalization.  Since River Park Square opened, more than $250 million in new downtown construction projects have been announced or moved forward.