NYC CONVENTION OVERHAUL

PLANS have been unveiled for a US$1.5 billion overhaul of New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Western Manhattan.

The design build team behind the project will be led by Australia’s Lendlease and Turner Construction together with tvsdesign.

Expected to break ground early this year, the major expansion is set to include an additional 90,000 square feet of permanent exhibition space.

When combined with the existing area, this will create a huge 500,000 square foot exhibition hall.

Also new will be a 55,000 square foot ballroom, green roof terrace pavilion accommodating 1,500 people for outdoor events and 27 loading docks.

There will also be new kitchen and food services installed along with back of house administrative spaces.

The construction of an on-site truck marshaling, loading and storage facility is expected to relocate 20,000 event-related trucks off area streets each year, improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

The revamp is forecast to generate a massive US$393 million in new annual economic activity, and allow for new and larger events.

“The Javits Center is one of New York State’s greatest economic assets, and this project will turn this building into a 21st century marvel, a convention center of the caliber that New York deserves,” Empire State Development president, ceo and commissioner Howard Zemsky said.

Zemsky said the new facilities would help unlock the New York icon’s true potential by attracting “the world’s best conferences and events”.

The first phase of work, which will ready the site for the expansion, has begun.

There is a financial incentive for the project to be completed by 2021.