The Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion Is Moving Right Along!
The massive Los Angeles Convention Center expansion and modernization project that broke ground in October 2025 is quietly but relentlessly proceeding behind high fencing and appears to be well on track toward meeting its target of “Olympic Readiness” for the LA28 games in the summer of 2028. While the total plan will not see a ribbon cutting until sometime in 2029, the goal is to have the venue complete enough that construction will not inhibit the use of the Convention Center for the planned Olympic festivities.
The project is budgeted to expend $2.6 billion in construction costs with a total project cost to be $5.9 billion when adding in borrowing and financing costs. When complete, the expansion will add 190,000 square feet of exhibit space by building a structure over Pico Avenue and connecting the existing South and West halls, resulting in a total exhibit area of over 750,000 square feet! In addition, the expansion will add 39,000 square feet of new meeting rooms and a 98,000 square foot, column free, multipurpose room/rooftop ballroom. The improvements will bring LA’s convention infrastructure to a level that rivals any similar venue in the U.S. and will result in billions of dollars in future revenue to the city.
The project’s approval took a lot of political will from Mayor Bass’s office due to its high cost and currently tight city budget but should result in a massive stimulus to LA’s economy. More particularly, South Park, which is at the front door of the improvements, should be a major economic recipient of the projected increase in convention related visitation.
The developers/builders of the project are a public/private partnership led by Plenary Group and AEG (the owners of L.A. Live). Construction is being carried out by a Joint Venture between PLC Construction and Webcor. The dramatic design is by world renowned Populus Architects.
My recent inspection of progress on the enormous undertaking indicates that most of the in-ground improvements of foundation and utility infrastructure have been completed and construction of vertical, above ground structures, has begun. Traditionally, the lion’s share of time and effort in building large projects is taken up by “in-ground” improvements so I’m expecting rapid progress from here. I look forward to seeing visible structures developing on the site!
By: John Nilsson
