The Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchants Exchange

is San Francisco’s most coveted special event venue. An architectural masterpiece, The Ballroom offers a timeless Beaux-Arts interior with superior modern amenities. The historic significance, professional production staff and strategic location make the Julia Morgan Ballroom an unparalleled space for any event in San Francisco.

Our Namesake

Julia Morgan

One of America’s most important and prolific architects, Julia Morgan had her offices at the Merchants Exchange for forty-five years (1904-1950). Her connection to the building began early in her career when firebrand architect Willis Polk tapped her to design the common area interiors after the great earthquake of 1906.

She took the assignment seriously, making her most distinctive mark on the opulent, light-filled lobby and the breathtaking banking hall, which included the incorporation of the historic William Coulter maritime murals. Morgan’s most important work remains the La Cuesta Encantada (“Hearst Castle”) in San Simeon, California.

The first female architect to graduate from the École de Beaux-Arts in Paris, and the first licensed female architect in California, Julia Morgan designed over 700 buildings during her remarkable career. In addition to Hearst Castle, Wyntoon and other Hearst residences, Morgan is the visionary behind countless other California landmarks.

The Team

Adam Ryon

VICE PRESIDENT, MANAGING DIRECTOR

BRANDON HEIST

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE + BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Kim Thornton

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS + PRODUCTION

Walter Ryon

DIRECTOR OF AUDIO/VISUAL

Mike Maurer

CORPORATE SALES MANAGER

BETH RANKIN

DIRECTOR OF NON-PROFIT + PHILANTHROPY

Angel Partida

PRODUCTION MANAGER

  • President Barack Obama Reception
  • Jane Goodall 80th Birthday Celebration with Dave Matthews
  • Roca Brothers World Tour presented by BBVA (Five-day event)
  • First Lady Michelle Obama (Two events)
  • App Direct Conference (Three-day event)
  • Health 2.0 Conference (Two-day event)
  • Project Production Institute Conference (Five-day event)
  • Genentech Conference (Three-day event)
  • National Football League Women’s Leadership Summit
  • Next Generation LGBT Leaders Forum
  • Dell Computer Spring Data Center Press Event (Three-day event)
  • Harvard Business School Reception
  • Edison Awards Gala honoring Elon Musk & Yang Yuanquing
  • One Medical Holiday Party
  • Princeton Alumni Association Reception
  • Red Cross Annual Gala
  • MIT Sloan Alumni Reception & Lecture
  • Cisco Product Launch Event
  • Asia Foundation with Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
  • Zephyr Opus Advisors Holiday Party