Located in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood of Washington, D.C., the new six-level convention center is the largest building in the city, covering six blocks and rising 130 feet (39.6 meters) from the ground at its tallest point — higher than most buildings in the height-constrained city. This massive, 2.3 million-square-foot (213,670-square-meter), 38,000-ton steel, limestone, and glass structure features five exhibit halls, 725,000 square feet (67,352 square meters) of exhibit space, 150,000 square feet (13,935 square meters) of meeting space, a 52,000-square-foot (4,830-square-meter) ballroom, a 36,000-square-foot (3,344-square-meter) area for registration, and approximately 44,000 square feet (4,087 square meters) of restaurants and shops. The convention center is among the ten largest in the nation, and both the Washington Monument and the Sears Tower in Chicago would be able to fit inside the structure if laid on their sides.

Date Completed:
Case Study/Profile Type: DCS
Website: http://www.dcconvention.com/
World Region: North America

Developer/Owner
Washington Convention Center Authority
Washington, DC

Architect
Thompson, Ventulett, Sainbeck, & Associates
Atlanta, GA

Associated Architects
Devrouax & Purnell Architects
Washington, DC

Mariani Architects & Engineers
Washington, DC

Landscape Architect
Lee & Liu Associates, Inc.
Washington, DC

ULI Awards for Excellence 2006 Winner