Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) will undergo a $10 million renovation that includes a remodeling of the building’s theater but no new exhibit space. The year-long project begins in August and includes several upgrades to the interior and exterior of the building. The proposed expansion of the total exhibit area, however, remains on hold until the plan to build a football stadium next door gets off the ground.
“The planned changes inside the convention center compliment the changes taking place outside the center, including new hotels, restaurants, shopping and cultural offerings throughout downtown,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president and CEO of the Los Angeles Convention & Tourism Board.
The renovation plans announced July 8 include:
- Installation of a new energy efficient “cool roof” on the South Hall and Concourse Hall.
- New carpeting throughout the center.
- Upgraded air walls, lighting, IT infrastructure and other operating systems.
- Overhaul of parking lot systems for quicker entry and exit.
- Remodeling the 299-seat theater and its AV capabilities.
The LACC includes 720,000 square feet of prime exhibit space. It is ranked 18th on the Trade Show Executive World’s Top Convention Centers list.
The grand plan for the convention center includes being integrated with the proposed Farmer’s Field football stadium. Once the green light for the $1.8 billion project is given, the West Hall of the convention center will be torn down and replaced with a new wing of relatively equal size. The stadium will be available as exhibit and event space for large trade shows.
Farmers Field, however, is contingent on securing of an NFL team. Currently, no existing team has made the commitment and the NFL is considered unlikely to grant Los Angeles an expansion franchise.
Reach Ernest Wooden Jr. at (213) 624-7300 or ewooden@latourism.org; LACC Executive Director Bud Ovrom at (213) 741-1151 or bud.ovrom@lacity.org
