William W. Philip Hall (WPH) offers a flexible event space that can accommodate lectures, meetings, performances, dinners, or fairs. The James A. Milgard Family Assembly Room provides a comfortable meeting space for large groups and can be expanded to include the Jane Thompson Russell Commons for larger events. The Columbia Bank Lobby offers a stunning view of Pacific Avenue, Union Station, the Washington State History Museum, and Mount Rainier (Tahoma). The Judith Graubard Kopp Gallery provides areas for tables, displays, or socializing.

Event space includes:

  • Built-in presentation podium equipped with computer and microphone
  • Fully-equipped A/V setup with wireless microphones and projector
  • Plug-and-play availability for other media options
  • Wi-fi access
  • Furniture setup of tables and/or chairs

Layouts, Policies, and FAQs:

Furniture Setup & Layouts
WPH Layout Samples Packet PDF
Customizable Blank Diagram
Policies
FAQs

Rooms and Standard Rates (rates subject to change)

+ One-time $100 standard flat booking fee applied on top of all event space rentals. For multiple-day rentals (e.g. multi-day conferences): Booking fee for multiple days $50/day after initial $100.00. For long-term rentals or to inquire about registered non-profit and UWT Unit-Supported rates, please contact ecsuwt@uw.edu.

Room Description Max Capacity Rental rates

William Philip Hall (WPH)

Event space full of round tables with chairs

William Philip Hall is a versatile event venue featuring four connected spaces (all listed below) within one building. The main event area can be used as one large room or divided into two separate spaces, while two adjoining hallway/lobby areas provide ideal locations for food and beverage staging, registration, networking, and small social gatherings, creating a flexible and seamless experience for events of all sizes.

Physical address: 1918 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402 (1st floor)
Square Footage: 4,200 sq. ft. (approximate; stage accounted for)
Stage size: 24' wide x 15' depth; 16" height

The four spaces of WPH:

Event areas:

  • Milgard Assembly Room
  • Jane T. Russell Commons

Adjoining lobby/hallways:

  • Columbia Bank Lobby
  • Kopp Gallery

Click the link below to see the diagram locating all four spaces:

Diagram

300
Banquet 

440
Lecture/Theater
(with center aisle)

37 (tables)
Fair

460
Empty

$1000
(Up to 4 hours)

$2000
(4–10 hours)

$350/hr
(after 10 hours)

 

Milgard Assembly Room (MAR)

Event space full of round tables with chairs and a stage with a purple wall behind it.

Milgard Assembly Room is the bigger 2/3 of the main event space in William Philip Hall. 

Features:

  • Retractable 16:9 projector screen
  • Computer with height-adjustable lectern and tabletop microphone (handheld also available)
  • Retractable airwall that allows the space to be divided from Jane Russell Commons
  • Stage (included)

170
Banquet

220
Lecture/Theater
(with center aisle)

24 (tables)
Fair

240
Empty

$600
(Up to 4 hours)

$1000
(4–10 hours)

$200/hr
(after 10 hours)

Jane T. Russell Commons (JTR/JRC)

Jane Russell Commons space is the smaller 1/3 of the main event space in William Philip Hall. 

Features:

  • Retractable 16:9 projector screen
  • Computer with lectern and tabletop microphone (handheld also available)
  • Retractable airwall that allows the space to be divided from Milgard Assembly Room

100
Banquet

80
Lecture/Theater

15 (tables)
Fair

$375
(Up to 4 hours)

$800
(4–10 hours)

$125/hr
(after 10 hours)

Columbia Bank Lobby (CBL) 

Open lobby area with long tables with chairs set along the perimeter

Columbia Bank Lobby is an open pass-through space outside Milgard Assembly Room that serves well as an adjacent area for staging food/catering or as a small fair tabling area.

This space does not have any built-in A/V.

As an adjacent lobby area, this space is typically rented in conjunction with Milgard Assembly Room (optional).

40
Banquet

8 (tables)
Food staging or small fair

$200
(Up to 4 hours)

$400
(4–10 hours)

$75/hr
(after 10 hours)

Kopp Gallery (KG)

Open hallway area with brick wall and shiny cement floors

Kopp Gallery is an open hallway area adjacent to Milgard Assembly Room. Ideal as an extension space for small fair tabling or mini reception socializing.

This space does not have any built-in A/V.

As an adjacent hallway, this space is typically rented in conjunction with Milgard Assembly Room (optional).

 7 (tables)
Food staging or small fair

$125
(Up to 4 hours)

$250
(4–10 hours)

$50/hr
(after 10 hours)

Furniture Setup & Layouts

WPH Long table

6' Long Table

WPH Round table

72" Round Table

WPH Bistro table

30" Bistro Table

WPH Chair

Standard Chair

Layout Samples & Diagrams

Please ensure you have reviewed the information and rates above before submitting a rental inquiry form. 

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