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Detroit Cobo Center Renovation is Symbol of Detroit Resurgence
Detroit Cobo Center is undergoing a $260,000,000 renovation
Motor City’s Cobo Center is being reshaped by the client’s vision and a team led by tvsdesign to connect to city life and to capitalize on its fantastic Detroit River site for the first time. Center leaders and team members SDG, Kahn, and Rossetti are working to reintroduce Cobo Center as a state-of-the-art venue that will address the needs of its premier event, the North American International Auto Show and will provide the space and infrastructure components that other major conventions, conferences and trade shows look for when they select a location.
The existing arena shell will be transformed into a new, 40,000 square-foot ballroom space with views to the river, Hart Plaza and the city. A new concourse atrium will open the meeting and exhibit space to the river. New, transparent facades and canopies boasting integrated media walls will engage passers by in the exciting events and exhibits within the center. Revamped “back-of-house” circulation systems will improve operational efficiency and customer experiences. Mechanical and electrical system upgrades will accomplish significant energy savings.
With 700,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 19th largest convention center in the country. Cobo's modernization of its meeting banquet space will make the center significantly more marketable boosting the economic impact for the city as additional conventioneers patronize the city's hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues.
The team is developing the renovation to reflect some of the unique qualities of the Detroit area and of this site. When complete, the building will celebrate Detroit’s history and renewed future as a center of creativity, technology and design.