Today, the City and County of Denver announced it will recommend Fentress Architects to design an expansion of the Colorado Convention Center. The City’s recommendation will be considered for final approval by Denver City Council in the coming weeks.
In November 2015, Denver voters overwhelmingly approved an expansion of the Colorado Convention Center that will feature up to 80,000 square feet of new flexible meeting space of and 120,000 square feet of new pre-function and service space, all to be located on the roof of the existing building. The expansion will include a 50,000 square foot outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline.
The selection team, which included representatives from multiple City agencies, the Denver Mayor’s office and VISIT DENVER, the official marketing agency for the City of Denver and for the Colorado Convention Center, said the Fentress Architects team was chosen for its strong understanding of the City’s vision for the center and expertise in convention center operations, design, and construction.
“We are excited at the selection of Fentress Architects due to their experience with convention center projects in Miami, San Diego and, of course, both earlier phases of the Colorado Convention Center,” said Richard W. Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER. “Our convention center is consistently ranked as one of the top facilities in the country for functionality, aesthetics and service. We look forward to working with the City and Fentress on this important project that will keep Denver’s convention facilities competitive for years to come.”
The Colorado Convention Center is credited with generating more than $500 million in annual economic impact for a total of more than $4.8 billion since it was expanded in 2004. The center has also been the catalyst for many improvements downtown. Denver will have 10,000 hotel rooms within easy walking distance of the Center by the end of 2017; and the convenience of Denver’s walkability lends itself well to allowing meeting professionals and attendees to explore the city’s chef-driven dining scene, thriving arts and culture and some of the finest craft breweries in the country.
Following City Council approval of the design contract, the City will begin the process of choosing a builder for the expansion project, with that selection expected in late 2018.