Phoenix Convention Center
Encyclopedia
The 24 acres Phoenix Convention Center, in the heart of Downtown Phoenix
, has been hosting national and regional conventions
and trade shows as well as consumer events and theatrical productions since it opened in 1972. And, as Phoenix
has undergone tremendous growth through the years by attracting high-technology businesses, transplants from other states, and an increase in tourism, so has Phoenix Convention Center.
A citizens group was formed in the early 60's to study the development of a convention center and the idea for Phoenix Civic Plaza became reality. In 1963, in order to finance construction, the non-profit Phoenix Civic Plaza Building Corporation was created. On April 15, 1969, the city of Phoenix and Phoenix Civic Plaza Building Corporation signed legal agreements for the initial construction of the convention center.
The Phoenix Civic Plaza Department was created in November 1969 to oversee the operational aspects of the construction, purchase equipment and hire and train staff. Construction of Phoenix Civic Plaza began the same year and was completed in 1972 at a cost of $28 million and occupying 16.5 acres (66,773.2 m²). The original project included Phoenix Symphony Hall, which opened at the same time.
Six years later, the demand for additional space created a need for expansion. During that time, several conventions were bumped because of previous commitments and conflicting dates. When construction was completed in 1985, Phoenix Civic Plaza had more than doubled its available space to over 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²).
In the mid-1990s Phoenix Convention Center embarked on an ambitious $32 million renovation project to update and enhance its image and keep the facility competitive for convention and trade show business.
A multi-phased $600 million expansion project has nearly tripled the size of the Phoenix Convention Center, making it one of the top 20 convention venues in North America. Phase I opened in 2006, with Populous (formerly HOK Sport Venue Event) as the design architect and Leo A. Daly as the prime and managing architect. Populous served as both design architect and architect of record for Phase II of the expansion, which was completed in 2008.
The design of the new convention center aims to reference the unique Arizona
landscape. Steel canopies extend over third Street to create shade. The large glass and stone atrium
in the West Building represents the unique angles and light of an Arizona slot canyon
. Colors, textures and finishes capture the warm hues of the Sonoran Desert
and the cool tones of an Arizona desert sky.
when service began on December 26, 2008.
Downtown Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix is the central business district of Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It is located near the geographic center of the Phoenix metropolitan area or Valley of the Sun. Phoenix, being the county seat of Maricopa County and the capital of Arizona, serves as the center of politics,...
, has been hosting national and regional conventions
Convention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
and trade shows as well as consumer events and theatrical productions since it opened in 1972. And, as Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
has undergone tremendous growth through the years by attracting high-technology businesses, transplants from other states, and an increase in tourism, so has Phoenix Convention Center.
History
The concept for a performing arts auditorium developed as early as 1959. At that time, cultural and theatrical events were being held in outdated high school auditoriums. It was determined that the Phoenix metropolitan area would benefit, not only from having an entertainment facility, but also from a facility that could accommodate regional and national convention business.A citizens group was formed in the early 60's to study the development of a convention center and the idea for Phoenix Civic Plaza became reality. In 1963, in order to finance construction, the non-profit Phoenix Civic Plaza Building Corporation was created. On April 15, 1969, the city of Phoenix and Phoenix Civic Plaza Building Corporation signed legal agreements for the initial construction of the convention center.
The Phoenix Civic Plaza Department was created in November 1969 to oversee the operational aspects of the construction, purchase equipment and hire and train staff. Construction of Phoenix Civic Plaza began the same year and was completed in 1972 at a cost of $28 million and occupying 16.5 acres (66,773.2 m²). The original project included Phoenix Symphony Hall, which opened at the same time.
Six years later, the demand for additional space created a need for expansion. During that time, several conventions were bumped because of previous commitments and conflicting dates. When construction was completed in 1985, Phoenix Civic Plaza had more than doubled its available space to over 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²).
In the mid-1990s Phoenix Convention Center embarked on an ambitious $32 million renovation project to update and enhance its image and keep the facility competitive for convention and trade show business.
Recent expansion
The design of the new convention center aims to reference the unique Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
landscape. Steel canopies extend over third Street to create shade. The large glass and stone atrium
Atrium (architecture)
In modern architecture, an atrium is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within a larger multistory building and often located immediately beyond the main entrance doors...
in the West Building represents the unique angles and light of an Arizona slot canyon
Canyon
A canyon or gorge is a deep ravine between cliffs often carved from the landscape by a river. Rivers have a natural tendency to reach a baseline elevation, which is the same elevation as the body of water it will eventually drain into. This forms a canyon. Most canyons were formed by a process of...
. Colors, textures and finishes capture the warm hues of the Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a North American desert which straddles part of the United States-Mexico border and covers large parts of the U.S. states of Arizona and California and the northwest Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. It is one of the largest and hottest...
and the cool tones of an Arizona desert sky.
Transportation
The Convention Center is served by METRO Rail's Washington at 3rd Street stationWashington at 3rd Street (Valley Metro Rail station)
3rd Street and Washington Street and 3rd Street and Jefferson Street is a light rail station on METRO Light Rail in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. It is the fifteenth stop westbound and the fourteenth stop eastbound on the initial 20 mile starter line...
when service began on December 26, 2008.