The long-awaited expansion and modernization of the L.A. Convention Center (LACC) took a major step toward fruition via a vote by the Los Angeles City Council to move forward with the project, with hopes the facility can be ready in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.
The council approved a design-build delivery model that will contract with AEG, which owns and manages the city’s L.A. LIVE campus, and The Plenary Group. Populous will be the architect on the project, with hopes to break ground in spring 2025.
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“The expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center are critical for the continued recovery of our local economy,” said Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, in a press release. “Citywide conventions support thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses across every L.A. region and neighborhood, and we’re grateful to the City Council for their leadership in advancing this pivotal initiative with today’s vote. As one of the travel industry’s premier meeting destinations, we look forward to seeing this world-class facility come to life."
The project will connect the existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one contiguous hall, along with adding 55,000 square feet of new meeting room space and 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space. The plan also calls for a redesign of Gilbert Lindsay Plaza that will include outdoor open space available for event activations.
City officials believe the long-anticipated expansion and modernization will help bring Los Angeles’ major convention facility up to par with its competitive set of tier-one destinations.
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“Thank you to the City Council for their vision and leadership to invest in a public infrastructure project that is essential for L.A.’s future,” said Doane Liu, chief tourism officer and executive director of the City Tourism Department, in the announcement.
“Despite being in the second-largest city in the United States, the LACC is currently a second-tier facility and we are losing out on business to other cities due to the constraints of the convention center. With this expansion, LACC will become a premier destination that is able to pursue larger events that bring visitors to L.A. who spend money at our local hotels, restaurants and attractions, adding additional revenue to the city’s General Fund.”
LACC currently offers 720,000 square feet of exhibition space and 147,000 square feet of meeting space. City officials estimate the project will draw in over $165 million in visitor spending annually and create 7,445 new jobs during construction and 2,147 jobs on an ongoing basis.
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“Currently, the LACC hosts nearly 200 events and 2 million visitors annually,” said Kimberly Weedmark, general manager of the L.A. Convention Center, in the announcement. “We’re excited that an upgraded facility will allow us to expand our event base with more top-tier programs and allow our current clients continued growth opportunities. An expanded and modernized center will provide our customers with innovative technology and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. We look forward to delivering excellent service and exceeding clients’ and guests’ expectations at every event.”
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