L.A. Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project achieves commercial close

Plenary Americas has achieved commercial close on the $2.6 billion L.A. Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project, demonstrating the City of Los Angeles’ commitment to maintaining its status as a world-class destination with a thriving tourism industry. It also signals to investors, developers, local businesses and major industries that the City is committed to building a more prosperous future as a global leader and the chosen destination for organizations and associations to convene.

The new construction will connect the two existing South and West Exhibit halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one contiguous hall with more than 750,000 square feet, and will add 39,000 square feet of new meeting room space and 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space.

The project will create more than 15,000 jobs and will spur much-needed economic growth in the region.

The Convention Center will remain open during construction and will achieve Olympic Readiness by spring 2028 (in time for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games), with final completion expected in spring 2029.

Members of the APCLA consortium include:

• Developer: Plenary Americas
• Co-Developer: AEG
• Construction Joint-Venture: PCL Construction / Webcor
• Architect: Populous

Quotes

“Plenary Americas is delighted to finally start construction and we are committed to ensuring the project is delivered on time and on budget,” said Stuart Marks, Senior Vice President, Plenary Americas. “We appreciate the partnership and collaboration with the City departments and agencies to date and we also greatly appreciate the support and leadership of the City Council and the Mayor in achieving this important milestone and in the successful delivery of the project.”

“An expanded and modernized Convention Center will transform the landscape of Downtown Los Angeles for following generations,” said Kimberly Weedmark, General Manager of the LA Convention Center. “We appreciate the LA City Council for their future facing vision as this project will allow us to increase the number of top-tier programs that we welcome to Los Angeles while granting our current clients continued growth opportunities. We are profoundly grateful to the teams at AEG, Plenary Americas, Webcor, PCL and Populous, whose collaboration continues to set a new standard for excellence in the convention industry and we look forward to the continued partnership as we move forward with the execution of the construction of the project. This is an incredibly exciting time for Los Angeles!”

“As one of the most powerful yet often unseen drivers of LA’s tourism economy, meetings and events generate billions of dollars annually for Los Angeles. They not only support the City’s General Fund and help fund essential services for all Angelenos, but also sustain local businesses across the greater Los Angeles region. As we look ahead to historic years on the horizon, and as the global spotlight on Los Angeles intensifies, we know the Los Angeles Convention Center will play an even more vital role in shaping our city’s future while continuing to welcome guests from around the globe,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism.