Civic Auditorium- Witte Hall

Project Details

The 54,000 SF Central Public Library was completed in 1994 and quickly became the most popular cultural facility in Newport Beach. Today it is recognized as one of California's finest libraries hosting over 1.2 million visitors annually. A 17,000 SF addition featuring various amenities was completed in 2013 linking the Central Library to City  Hall.

The Civic Auditorium now Witte Hall project envisioned transforming the quality and character of Newport Beach, enhancing and adding to the existing exceptional programing and events. This is the City’s continued dedication to providing exceptional civic infrastructure and enriching the lives of all. Witte Hall is the culmination of years of planning for a state-of-the-art cultural facility/civic auditorium and a remarkable addition to the civic center campus.

The Library Lecture Hall Design Committee selected Robert Coffee + Associates to design the state-of-the-art facility.  The new facility will be 9,815 SF, seating for 299 and supported with sophisticated audio / visual technology. It resolves many issues limiting previous library events including inadequate size, inadequate accessibility and poorly supported technology. 

Witte Hall will be constructed directly adjacent to the Central Public Library in the northwestern corner of the library’s parking lot. When completed the community can take satisfaction in this dynamic architectural triumph serving  the public for decades to come.

Design Renderings- Click images for a larger view

Central Library Parking Impact

On Monday, February 5, 2024, the Library Lecture Hall contractor,  AMG & Associates,  will begin working on the Civic Auditorium aka Witte Hall.  In doing so, AMG & Associates will be closing off a significant portion of the library parking lot which will increase traffic in the City Hall parking structure. Construction is expected to be completed by January 2026. During construction most Central Library Staff and library patrons will be parking in the City Hall parking structure. Parking in the structure will be much more crowded and at times near capacity.   

Construction Area and Parking map

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