But Marc Roth has equally big plans for it.

Extraordinary Ventures, which he opened late last year, is a unique social service and business model, Roth says.

Part of the time, it's a social center where EV's members, people 15 and older with developmental disabilities such as autism or Down syndrome, can hang out.

But to earn money, EV rents its 2,000 square-foot conference space with a kitchen and smaller rooms for meetings. Roth, the executive director, also rents suites permanently to other nonprofits.

EV's primary mission is to provide job and social opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Some of "the guys," as Roth calls EV's members, set up tables and chairs, serve food and do maintenance and cleaning, and get paid for working there.

Members pay a $300 annual fee and one-time $50 registration. Roth hopes to eventually offer memberships to people who can't pay and says sometimes an individual's disability assistance will cover the cost. There are currently about 16 members, mostly men, and a few women. The goal is 60.

On Wednesday, three young men arrived with their care providers, professionals hired by social service agencies to help with transportation, job training and other needs.

David Wertheimer, who comes every weekday, stopped by after his shift at Trader Joe's.

"I eat lunch here," said Wertheimer, 22, who has autism. After lunch, he said, he planned to work on the computer in a small side office.

Extraordinary Ventures also hosts Friday evening gatherings with pizza, miniature golf, karaoke, pool and other activities.

The challenge, Roth said, is accommodating different levels of ability and different interests.

To illustrate, he pulls out a pile of little laminated pictures with Velcro on the back. They have icons for miniature golf, the pool table, and other activities. Someone who is less verbal or who needs visual cues can arrange them on a schedule they carry around with them.

For some members, especially those with autism, the bustle and noise can be upsetting, Roth said. So he sets aside some quiet areas, with board games or crafts.

Roth, 60, has been involved with special education for decades, as a teacher and administrator. The catalyst, he said, was the experience of a best friend and fellow college athlete.

"We were both up to be drafted" into the Vietnam War, Roth said. "I had a high number, and he had a low number. And after we finished running track in college, we were eligible ... and with his low number, he got pulled in.

"And he ended up having his leg blown off."

"Watching him go through his rehabilitation, and his fortitude, that made me say I wanted to go into that field."

Since then Roth has worked with people with special needs in a variety of roles. He developed a direct personal interest when he raised a son who has autism. Most recently he led The Arc of Orange County, an advocacy and support agency for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Roth's son David spends time at EV when he's not working at the Marriott.

In EV's kitchen, David takes a cooking class with his care provider. Over a warm apple turnover his son made, Roth describes the vision behind Extraordinary Ventures.

"I've always wanted to have a facility that would provide a recreation space, social space, job training, but also be a hub for the community," he said. "So even though our main mission is developmental disabilities, I wanted to make sure that we were contributing to our community."

For example, Roth invites kids who have been suspended from school or who are performing community service to come and volunteer, an experience he says is rewarding for them and "the guys."

The building, located at 200 S. Elliott Road across from Whole Foods, is a former gas company office. The owners gave Roth the use of the building, but the nonprofit has to maintain it and pay for some improvements. Income comes from membership fees, rent and conference space, which costs $175 a day.

The League of Women Voters has held several meetings there.

"It's a nice facility. The size of it is good for us, the parking is good," said Vicki Boyer, the group's president. "And we love what he's doing. I think he's doing a double service to the community. He's providing some jobs for some disabled people, and he's providing meeting space for some nonprofits."

Roth acknowledges that some disagree with focusing a social center on people with disabilities rather than emphasizing integration into society.

But he says members can bring anyone they wish, disabled or not, and that he's providing for people to spend time where and with whom they want.

"I want this place to be the best place to hang out -- whether you have a disability or not."