The $600-plus million renovation and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center is nearing completion.
The 1.4 million-square-foot redesign calls for more than 12 acres of public green space, four new ballrooms ranging from 10,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet, 127,000 square feet of new meeting space, and a 500,000-square-foot exhibition hall. The exterior features about 500 aluminum “fins.” The project is being designed by Fentress Architects, Arquitectonica and West 8. The team plans to debut the new convention center at 1901 Convention Center Drive in December for the opening of Art Basel.
Later this year, Miami Beach residents will vote on a referendum that would allow a development team led by Jackie Soffer and David Martin to build an 800-room convention center hotel. The referendum requires approval by 60 percent of voters.