Los Angeles Convention Center Set for Major 700K Sq Ft Expansion

The City Council is taking decisive action to reignite the stalled expansion plans for the Los Angeles Convention Center. A motion, introduced on November 8 by Councilmembers McOsker and Curren Price, pushes for the City Tourism Department to present an extended exclusive negotiation agreement with AEG and Plenary Group. This proposal is slated for a vote on December 5 during the City Council's Trade Travel and Tourism Committee meeting. The urgency stems from the Convention Center's obligation to host events for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, necessitating completion before the games commence.

 

A 700,000-Square-Foot Boost and More: Blueprint for Expansion

The ambitious expansion blueprint outlines the addition of approximately 700,000 square feet in a new exhibition hall over Pico Boulevard, connecting the existing South and West Halls. This endeavor signifies a substantial 45 percent increase in the Convention Center's total size, reaching 2.2 million square feet, with a generous 1 million square feet dedicated to exhibition space. Beyond the new hall, the project includes refurbishments to existing structures like the Concourse Building and South Hall, a fresh West Hall lobby, and a new Bond Street parking garage. Transformative plans for Pico Boulevard encompass enhanced lighting, broader sidewalks, designated bus and vehicle drop-off zones, and a possible mid-block crossing. The current Gilbert Lindsay Plaza drop-off area is slated for a metamorphosis into a landscaped, park-like space.

 

Populous’ Architectural Touch: Designing the Future Exhibit Hall

Leading architectural firm Populous is at the helm of designing the new exhibition hall, set to stand between 92 and 150 feet tall, harmonizing with the scale of adjacent structures to the north and south.

 

Beyond the Convention Center: A Hotel Power Play

In tandem with the Convention Center expansion, a related project unfolds at the J.W. Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotel complex. Positioned just north of the Convention Center, a proposed 37-story tower at the intersection of Chick Hearn Court and Georgia Street is set to add 861 hotel rooms. This strategic move would catapult Marriott to the title of the largest hotel in the City of Los Angeles by room count and the second largest in the state of California.

 

A Decade-Long Pursuit: Los Angeles’ Enduring Quest for Expansion

The pursuit of expanding the Convention Center has been a decade-long journey for Los Angeles officials. Initially entwined with an unrealized NFL stadium project in 2011, the endeavor resurfaced as an independent initiative in 2015. The current public-private partnership, established in 2016 with AEG, the proprietors of Crypto.com Arena and LA Live, marks the latest chapter in this enduring quest for expansion.