A new chapter in downtown Rome’s continued growth is underway with the grand opening of River Arts Venue, a flexible event, meeting, and creative space located at 252 N. Fifth Ave. in the heart of the city’s thriving River Arts District. The venue officially opened its doors Thursday evening as local residents, business leaders, and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the newest addition to downtown Rome’s thriving River Arts District. Guests had the opportunity to tour the versatile venue while enjoying a live concert and dinner that showcased the space’s potential for hosting everything from private celebrations to community events and corporate gatherings.

Situated along a stretch of Fifth Avenue that has experienced significant revitalization in recent years, River Arts Venue joins a growing collection of local businesses, restaurants, studios, and entertainment destinations that have transformed the area into one of Rome’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

The venue is the vision of Rome residents Ivy Holt Morris and her husband, Lance Morris, who recognized a need for a versatile gathering space that could accommodate everything from birthday parties and weddings to corporate meetings, workshops, and community events without requiring residents to leave the city.

“We saw what Rome was missing,” the Morrises said. “People needed a place that could adapt to different occasions, whether it was a graduation celebration, engagement party, concert, training session, or board meeting.”

Their answer was River Arts Venue, a multi-purpose facility designed to serve a wide range of personal, professional, and community needs while supporting the continued growth of downtown Rome.

Located just minutes from Broad Street and the Heritage Trail, the venue sits in a city known for its unique geography, where the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers converge to form the Coosa River. The location places guests within walking distance of many of downtown Rome’s shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Under one roof, River Arts Venue offers eight rentable spaces organized into three distinct experiences:

  • The Office Suite, designed for meetings, workshops, training sessions, and professional gatherings.
  • The Studios, a forthcoming creative space that will include podcast, recording, and video production facilities.
  • The Event Space, a large gathering area featuring a full kitchen, upstairs loft, and accommodations for events ranging from intimate celebrations to full-building rentals hosting as many as 300 guests.

The venue’s flexible booking model allows customers to reserve individual rooms by the hour or rent the entire building for weekend events. Reservations can be made online with real-time availability and booking opportunities available up to one year in advance.

River Arts Venue is designed to host a broad spectrum of events, including weddings, receptions, bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, family reunions, retirement parties, quinceañeras, celebrations of life, corporate training sessions, and professional meetings.

The creative component of the venue is also expected to fill a gap in the local market. Plans call for a dedicated podcast studio, recording studio, and green screen production space, which owners say will provide content creators and entrepreneurs with professional resources currently unavailable elsewhere in Rome.

Beyond the facility itself, the Morrises emphasize their commitment to the continued success of the River Arts District and its neighboring businesses.

As Fifth Avenue continues to evolve as a destination for residents and visitors alike, River Arts Venue aims to serve as both a gathering place and a catalyst for community connection, offering a central location where celebrations, business, creativity, and collaboration can come together under one roof.

For more information or to book a space, visit River Arts Venue at 252 N. Fifth Ave. in downtown Rome.