The Charlotte Convention Centre in North Carolina, USA has broken ground on a $126.9m expansion project.
The City of Charlotte, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), hospitality leaders and members of the community officially kicked off the expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony including remarks from Mayor Vi Lyles and Tom Murray, CEO of CRVA.
A primary component of the expansion will be a pedestrian bridge linking the new wing of the convention centre to The Westin Charlotte hotel, the city’s largest convention centre hotel with more than 700 rooms.
The pedestrian connectivity will be located along Center City’s convenient LYNX light rail with access to an area termed “Stonewall Corridor,” which is currently undergoing development as well. The architecture will boast a “jewel box” design element and have a similar feel to New York City’s High Line.
CRVA CEO Tom Murray commented: "Charlotte visitor spending hit a record $7.4 billion in the region last year, and one in nine residents work in hospitality or tourism. The expansion of the Charlotte Convention Center is a response to the city's appeal as a visitor destination, with the goal of bringing business to the region, increasing Charlotte's competitiveness and solidifying our reputation as one of the premier meetings destinations in the Southeast."
