Construction Begins on Convention Center Renovation

Project Partners and Community Members Gather for Construction Kickoff Ceremony

CINCINNATI (July 16, 2024) – Leaders from the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the State of Ohio, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), Visit Cincy, and several other project partners gathered this morning to commemorate the start of construction on the renovation of Cincinnati’s convention center, the first step in the city’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalize the entire Convention District.

The celebratory event took place at the corner of Fifth and Elm streets, with the existing convention center building as the backdrop. Project and government leaders spoke to the critical need for the convention center’s renovation and the positive impact it will have on Cincinnati and the surrounding region. The event concluded with the ceremonious demolition of a section of granite at the building’s entrance.

“We’re excited to be celebrating the start of the convention center’s renovation, which is the first step in our once-in-a-generation effort to reimagine the entire Convention District,” Katie Westbrook, Vice President of Development for 3CDC, said. “Cooperation, collaboration and a shared commitment to capitalizing on this historic opportunity for the betterment of our community have brought us to this point, and we look forward to advancing this project and the others that follow to make this collective vision a reality.”

The 18-month renovation project will transform the outdated structure into a sought-after space for convention and event industry leaders. Upon completion, the revitalized building will boast a primarily glass façade that will allow for significant natural light inside the building, a sleek, modern, aesthetically pleasing design on the exterior, and a completely new roof. The revitalized facility will also include upgraded meeting rooms and ballrooms, as well as major improvements to building systems and technology, making it much more energy efficient and capable of accommodating high-caliber conventions and events. The third-floor junior ballroom will undergo a total renovation, including the addition of a 6,000-square-foot outdoor roof terrace adjacent to the space.

The reimagined Convention District project will also include the development of Elm Street Plaza, a new two-acre outdoor space on the site of the former Millennium Hotel that will be used as an extension of the convention center, as well as programmable community space when not being used for conventions. The subsequent construction of a new 800-room, best-in-class convention headquarters hotel to support the travel and hospitality industries is another critical piece of the district’s overall revitalization plan.

Construction on the convention center began on July 1, with initial work focused on exterior façade demolition starting along Fifth Street. Renovation work will progress in stages toward a target completion date in late 2025. Elm Street Plaza’s construction timeline will parallel the convention center renovation, with work beginning this summer and expected completion set for late next year. Construction on the new convention headquarters hotel is slated to begin in late 2024, kicking off a 2-year construction period.

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