In downtown Tampa, Fla., officials celebrated completion of the Tampa Convention Center’s largest renovation project since the facility was built in 1990.
The $44.5 million capital improvement project featured a 23,500-square-foot, two-story expansion, including 18 new waterfront rooms to provide flexible meeting and event space. Improvements were also made to the popular Tampa Riverwalk outside the center, such as new railings, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps, a canopy metal ceiling, and new column wraps.
As part of the Tampa Convention Center’s commitment to sustainability, the center invested in comprehensive updates to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, resulting in lower energy consumption and cost savings for clients. The upgrades called for rebuilding 16 air handling units and installing two rooftop air handling units with two energy recovery ventilators.
Another significant upgrade was the installation of new signage for the Tampa Convention Center complete with LED multi-color exterior letters and three rows of colorful lights added to the façade to light up the Downtown Tampa skyline and more prominently feature the convention center’s prime location.
“These are world-class improvements, befitting of a world-class convention center and city,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “This is the largest renovation in the center’s history and ensures that it and the city of Tampa will continue to be a highly sought-after meeting and event destination.”
Construction was completed by Skanska USA in partnership with the design firm Baker Barrios Architects and Convergence Design. The project began in November 2021 and was finished on schedule in June 2023.
The Tampa Convention Center remained open for business during the construction phase to accommodate ongoing events. To ensure public safety, a portion of the Tampa Riverwalk was closed for a portion of the construction, and a multitude of signs directed pedestrians to a detour.
Because of the limited amount of storage space available on site, Skanska said its construction team turned to one of Tampa Bay’s top amenities for support—its pristine waterfront. To reduce the requirement for 75 tractor trailer deliveries, Skanska employed the use of floating platforms to store and transport more than 700 pieces of structural steel to the project site.
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