SKYLINE JEWEL
Like a glass sail hoisted over an inland sea, the Virginia Beach Convention Center is a vision to behold. Soaring over 19th Street at the I-264 entry to the oceanfront, the center is a sparkling jewel in Virginia Beach’s convention crown.
Bookings draw visitors year-round, creating a new clientele and offering a number of large consumer shows that appeal to the general public, such as boat, car, craft, and home and garden shows.
Designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP – the same firm that designed the Sears Tower – the structure draws inspiration from its coastal environment, its magnificent mast dominating the skyline.
Throughout the facility, the dynamic use of water, wood and natural light is apparent. A boardwalk entry, scenic pools and 10-story observation deck are just a few of its distinguishing details.
The center also features mesmerizing interiors, courtesy of its striking 150-foot tower, and an amazing variety of venues – from a porch-inspired space for outdoor functions to one of the largest ballrooms on the East Coast. All this is combined with the most advanced convention technology, including wired and wireless communications, programmable LED lighting and a colossal video wall comprised of four 90-by-9-foot sections.
But the most impressive aspect of this project is its size. The Convention Center offers a 150,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall; 31,029-square-foot ballroom; 28,929 square feet of meeting space; 2,230 free parking spaces; and extensive support services and amenities.
Whether catering to a few hundred people or several thousand, the Virginia Beach Convention Center is sure to please, and that’s a trend that’s likely to continue. |
