Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
When the new Washington Convention Center opened in March 2003, it was the sixth largest in the country, covering approximately six square city blocks with enough steel to build seven Eiffel towers. The $800 million, 2.3 million SF facility includes 725,000 SF of prime, column-free exhibit space. To keep the design in context with the surrounding neighborhood, two-thirds of the space and 40 truck loading docks were constructed completely below grade to reduce the massing of the building. Each side of the building reflects the adjacent neighborhood including historical buildings, residential areas and downtown Washington, with a contemporary twist. The grand ballroom provides panoramic views of the Capitol and its monuments.
As a member of the design team, Heery assisted in the completion of the design and construction documents. Heery staff also developed cost-effective solutions during the value engineering of the exterior and interior packages. Working directly with the designers and the owner’s representatives, the Heery team successfully brought the project within budget, while maintaining the essence of the design and many of the original design features that set this building apart from the typical D.C. urban context.
Heery maintained a committed project team for four years on site. Our team supported the project team from the design development phase through construction administration and occupancy.
Architect: Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates