- The LA City Council approved $27.7M in pre-construction funding for a $2.2B overhaul of the Los Angeles Convention Center, up from a $500M estimate in 2022.
- The renovation would expand the center’s footprint to over 1M SF, adding exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and modern amenities.
- A final construction vote is expected this summer, with groundbreaking possible by September and a pause planned for the 2028 Olympics.
A Bigger, Costlier Vision for LA
The Real Deal reports that the Los Angeles Convention Center, located at 1201 South Figueroa Street in South Park, is gearing up for a major transformation. The City Council has approved $27.7M for design and engineering work, setting the stage for a $2.2B expansion — more than four times the initial cost projected just three years ago.
From $500M to $2.2B
Originally greenlit by the city’s Planning Commission in 2022 as part of a $1B dual expansion with the adjacent J.W. Marriott, the convention center portion alone was then pegged at $50M. That plan included adding 700,000 SF and connecting its south and west halls. A more recent estimate climbed to $1.4B— but the latest figure now puts the project at $2.B, reflecting broader inflation and increased scope.
What’s Planned
The proposed expansion would grow the convention center to more than 1M SF, enabling it to better compete with venues in cities like New York and Chicago. New construction would include:
- 190,000 SF of exhibit space
- 55,000 SF of meeting rooms
- 95,000 SF of multi-purpose rooms
- A redesigned Gilbert Lindsay Plaza
- Upgrades along Pico Boulevard, which cuts through the campus.
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Timeline & Olympic Considerations
If negotiations with developers AEG (Los Angeles) and Plenary Group (Australia) are finalized, construction could begin as early as September 2025. However, work would pause in May 2028 to accommodate the Olympic Games and resume afterward, with full completion expected by March 2029.
Why It Matters
City leaders believe the expansion will significantly boost convention-related revenue — thanks in part to increased rental rates (which haven’t changed in over a decade) and potential advertising income from new signage.
Separately, AEG also has plans for a 37-story, 861-room hotel tower next to the J.W. Marriott. That project is currently on hold due to economic uncertainty.
What’s Next
The final approval for construction is slated for summer 2025. With the Olympics on the horizon and LA’s growing appetite for mega-events, the city’s bet on the convention center’s transformation could redefine its standing as a global event hub.
