Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center Expansion to Begin in 2018
April 5, 2017
Conceptual plans for the Broward County Convention Center Expansion and Headquarters Hotel Projects were unveiled April 4 before the Broward County Commission, according to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. This first look at the development, which represents a significant increase in the destination’s meetings, convention and exhibition capacity, was presented as an update on the design process, with construction expected to begin in late 2018 for a scheduled opening date in 2021.
Once completed, the new Broward County Convention Center Expansion and Headquarters Hotel Projects are expected to add an additional $100 million per year to the local economy by increasing tourism and creating jobs in Broward County, while also significantly improving the “Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center District,” which includes surrounding hotels, restaurants, retail and entertainment options, as well as the adjacent Port Everglades cruise port.
Combined with multibillion-dollar expansions of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, Greater Fort Lauderdale continues to grow as a major player in the meetings and travel industry. Brand elevation of the destination, along with significant increases in airline service and carriers new to the destination, is also resulting in strong domestic and international leisure tourism growth.
The Convention Center Expansion and Headquarters Hotel Projects will add an additional 400,000+ sf of contemporary designed indoor and outdoor space and an upscale 800-room, Four Diamond rated headquarters hotel that will attract increased meetings business with its mix of meeting space, accommodations, retail and dining. The proposed 22-story hotel will be prominently positioned on the destination’s famed Intracoastal Waterway with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the destination’s airport, cruise port and famed 23 miles of Blue Wave beaches.
“This is significant news for the future growth of the destination,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The new facilities, especially an onsite hotel, puts us in a lead position with the meetings industry. Our success in hosting many events and conventions annually will be amplified with new infrastructure and resources that meet the needs of the meeting, event and association planner and attendee of the future and bring over $100 million of new annual economic activity to our community.”
Expansion of the convention center will add 68,000 sf of additional ground floor exhibition space, and 65,000 sf of ballroom space including a 14,000-sf ballroom and 20 additional breakout spaces. The new headquarters hotel will create an additional 83,000 sf of meeting rooms and ballroom attached to the convention center north building.
The convention center expansion and headquarters hotel projects, both of which will be certified Gold in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), will be the centerpiece of a $700+ million convention center district enhancement project. Other proposed plans include a walk-in visitors center and intermodal center for public transport.