In March it's was announced that Detroit's convention center would under massive renovation. Work began in April, to date there are no real exterior changes as most work is currently is focused on gutting Cobo Arena. In addition interior and exterior it would add 25,000 sq ft to main 600,000 of contiguous space.
DETROIT—March 2, 2011—The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) today
unveiled a three-year, $221 million plan for the reinvention of Cobo Conference & Exhibition
Center, Metro Detroit’s regional convention facility. The bond-financed project is Phase III of a
multi-year strategic plan to return Cobo Center to its historic role as one of North America’s
premier meeting and convention venues.
The most visible upgrades to Cobo Center that were announced today include:
The reinvention of Cobo Arena as a 40,000-square foot ballroom with supporting
meeting, pre-function and back-of-house spaces. This new ballroom will feature a glass
wall and open-air terrace facing Hart Plaza and Detroit’s downtown to the east, as well as
pre-function space with a panoramic view of the Detroit River and the international border
with Canada to the south.
The creation of a new “signature space” for Cobo Center in the form of a spacious threestory
glass atrium that links the main floor of the venue with a new entrance facing the
Detroit River, bringing the lower-level exhibition space more naturally into the flow of a
meeting or convention and linking Cobo Center more fully to Detroit’s revitalized
riverfront.
Significant renovation to the building’s primary façade on the east side facing downtown
Detroit. The primary element will be a high-tech “media mesh” that will function as a giant
digital signboard welcoming conventions and guests to Detroit and to the new Cobo
Center. Additional elements include a new entrance to the recently-developed food court,
improved protection from the elements for arriving guests and increased use of glass in
exterior walls to tie events at Cobo Center more closely into the surrounding city.
http://www.cobocenter.com/css/DRCFA%...se%20FINAL.pdf
• Video Link
Threaded Mode