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Broward County Convention Center Expansion
DeSimone designed the structures for the Broward County Convention Center Expansion and new Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel in two phases.
This sustainable, multi-use development enhances event, hotel, and public waterfront facilities, with Phase 1 fully completed in 2021 and Phase 2 slated for 2025.
| Client | Stantec |
|---|---|
| Architects: | Stantec, Fentress, and Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects |
| Size | 2.1M SF | 195,096 SM (Phases 1 & 2) | 800 Keys |
| Sustainability | Targeting LEED Gold (Phases 1 & 2) |
| Office: | Miami |
| Completion: | 2021 (Phase 1), 2025 (Phase 2) |
Phase 1 added 350,000 SF of exhibit and loading space to the convention center’s west building. A major structural challenge for our engineers involved demolishing the 850-foot-long wall of the existing central energy plant (CEP), which had provided critical lateral support to the building. We designed a new support system of steel brace frames—strategically aligned with expansion joints—to restore stiffness without obscuring views across the broad exhibit spaces. Relocating the CEP to the second level of the west building avoided interruption of mechanical services during construction.
Phase 2 introduces a 29-story, 800-room Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel to the site— featuring 80,000 SF of waterfront ballrooms and an elevated amenity deck with pool—along with the 470,000 SF of exhibit hall and back-of-house space that will be the new East Convention Center. To create expansive, column-free spaces for events and operations, the DeSimone structural team devised a system of 13 massive steel roof trusses—each spanning 150 feet and weighing up to 40 tons—and designed roof trusses stretching across 180 feet to brace the spacious, open exhibit halls.
Both phases target LEED Gold certification and have required close coordination with contractors and public agencies to ensure constructability, resilience, and long-term flexibility.
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