$116M Convention Center Expansion Complete, Open for Business

PORTLAND-At a cost of $116-million, the Oregon Convention Center is now the largest convention center in the Northwest.

Directed by Hoffman Construction and designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca, the 25-month project added more than 400,000-sf to the convention center and included renovation of the original 500,000 sf. The convention center now encompasses 907,500 sf, provides 255,000 sf of exhibition space, has two grand ballrooms and offers 50 meeting rooms on its 18-acre campus.

Metro, the regionally elected government that runs the facility, estimates the expansion will result in 2,000 new jobs throughout the Portland region. The total economic benefit of the convention center in the region is expected to increase 30-40% to more than $500 million a year, according to Metro. The construction bonds are being paid off with increased taxes on hotel rooms and car rentals.