Event hosting reaches new heights in the Mile High City
The Colorado Convention Center in Denver is one of the premier venues for events and exhibitions in North America.
A recently completed expansion project, coordinated and cost controlled by RLB, will ensure the venue keeps pace with technical innovation and future demand.
By Jordan Miller Principal, RLB in Denver
Denver, the Mile High City, is known for its warm hospitality to visitors, a reputation bolstered by the Colorado Convention Center (CCC).
Located in Denver’s vibrant downtown, it is within easy walking distance of nearly 13,000 hotel rooms, 300 restaurants, nine theatres, and a wide variety of shopping and retail outlets, all of which benefit from the visitors that the CCC attracts to the city.
Opened in 1990, with more than 100 professional meeting planners working together with architects to design every aspect of the building, it has always been one of the most popular and user-friendly meeting and event venues in the USA.
The CCC undertook an expansion project to meet the growing demand for event space and remain competitive in the convention and exhibitions industry. This was designed to improve the overall experience for attendees and exhibitors, providing more flexible space, better amenities, and improved accessibility.
The additions would include an 80,000 sq ft column-free multipurpose room, a 35,000 sq ft pre-function space and a 20,000 sq ft outdoor terrace, all located on the roof of the existing building and offering spectacular views of Denver and the Rocky Mountains.
RLB was eager to be part of the project as we felt we could provide the best value for such a high-profile endeavour.
We held the expertise to deliver a large, multifaceted development in a dense urban environment where successful execution requires precise coordination, efficient stakeholder management, and creative problem-solving.
Our team of skilled professionals were eager to make their mark.
Real-time financial reporting
As the central coordination point, RLB worked closely with all stakeholders – the project owner, contractors, architects, engineers and city officials – to establish clear project goals, timelines and deliverables.
We were also responsible for monitoring the project budget and controlling costs, which ensured the project stayed within financial constraints.
We created custom financial dashboards that provided accurate, interactive and real-time reporting, giving transparency of milestones, risks and potential cost impacts throughout the project. This allowed the City of Denver to make informed decisions at all times during the design and construction phases.
By leveraging our expertise in managing cost, risk, schedule and quality, we helped deliver the project on time and on budget despite complex engineering and logistical challenges and the global pandemic.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Project: Colorado Convention Center Expansion
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Client: City and County of Denver
Size:
- 80,000 sq ft ballroom
- 35,000 sq ft pre-function space
- 20,000 sq ft rooftop terrace
Social value: $85 million estimated annual economic impact
OUR CLIENT SAYS...
“RLB delivered critical support across multiple roles as true team players. Their proactive approach helped reduce costs and solve issues early. The team was not only responsive but also practical and focused on the project's goals. Their involvement made a real difference to the success of the Colorado Convention Center expansion project.”
Travis Bogan, Director of Special Projects, City and County of Denver
Meticulous planning and coordination
One of the requisites of this project was maintaining the CCC’s ongoing operations while construction work was underway. This required meticulous planning and coordination to ensure that events could continue with minimal disruption, including careful scheduling, noise control, and safety measures to protect attendees and workers alike.
Another hurdle was integrating the new expansion with the existing structure. This involved precise coordination to align new and old building systems.
Our team also had to address the challenges related to the urban location, notably, limited space for staging construction materials and equipment, and managing traffic flow in downtown Denver.
Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic presented unexpected difficulties, such as supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and the need for enhanced health and safety protocols on site. Everyone had to be agile and adaptive, implementing new strategies to overcome these obstacles while ensuring the project remained on track.
We successfully navigated all these challenges through good communication, effective collaboration, and clever innovation.
A creative solution to building vertically in a dense urban area was placing a crawler crane on the roof of the existing structure. The crane was used to lift and place heavy materials, such as steel beams, prefabricated components and other construction elements, directly onto the upper levels.
Enhanced event experience
Now offering 150,000 sq ft of meeting space and 600,000 sq ft of exhibition space, Colorado Convention Center can simultaneously host larger and more versatile events, improving scheduling flexibility and attracting bigger conventions.
The rooftop terrace offers a unique outdoor venue with a stunning backdrop, making it an additional attractive option for receptions and informal gatherings, enhancing the overall event experience for attendees.
The design integrates seamlessly with the existing building, ensuring that old and new sections operate as a cohesive unit, improving overall operational flow and reducing potential disruptions.
The project not only solidifies Denver’s position as a leading destination for events and conventions, but also brings significant economic benefits to the city, such as job creation, increased tourism, and a boost to local businesses.
Shaping Denver’s future
The Colorado Convention Center expansion was an exciting and complex project that gave us the opportunity to showcase our expertise in the planning and management of large-scale urban developments.
By maintaining cost control, coordinating the diverse stakeholders, and navigating the engineering and logistical challenges, our team delivered exceptional value to the City of Denver and a best-in-class facility that met – and even exceeded – stakeholder requirements.
Managing a project with such a far-reaching impact allowed us to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Denver’s economy and infrastructure. It’s immensely rewarding to know that our work directly contributes to the city’s growth, cultural vibrancy, and success as a top-tier event destination.
About the author
Jordan Miller
Jordan Miller, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa. is a Principal and Resident Manager of our Denver office, with expertise in cost estimating, bid analysis, cost forecasting, and budget management.
A regional leader in RLB’s cost management global community, she offers trusted cost advice that empowers clients to make informed decisions throughout each stage of their construction projects.
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