The massive property covers 17 acres, and with approximately 2.3 million sf of space, the development is now the biggest building in the District. What accounts for the center's largesse is 725,000 sf of exhibit space, 150,000 sf of meeting space, 36,000 sf of registration space and a 52,000-sf ballroom; about 44,000 sf of retail and restaurant space tops off the project. A three-part joint venture consisting of Atlanta, GA's Thompson, Ventulett and Stainback & Associates, and Washington, DC's Mariani Architects-Engineers and Devrouax & Purnell Architects-Planners, is behind the convention center's design.

Development preparations had already gotten underway by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but convention-center officials found no need to alter the design of the structure for security purposes. "The building was already designed with the latest in high-tech features," Washington Convention Center director of public affairs Tony Robinson tells GlobeSt.com. "We had the former number-two guy at the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as our chief of security."

Despite the lengthy development process, the convention center has long been a welcome project, as evidenced by the scads of local officials, community leaders and other guests that turned out for the recent grand-opening ceremonies. "With the opening of the new Convention Center, the City and this community will experience significant economic growth," Mayor Anthony A. Williams said in a statement from ceremony. "The new Convention Center has already had a major impact on this community by utilizing local resources to help construct one of the finest convention facilities in the world." To accommodate the flurry of visitors the convention center will attract, 16 new hotel properties will have sprouted up in the area by year's end.