LA Greenlights $2.62B LACC Expansion, Targets Big Returns

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $2.62 billion expansion and modernization project for the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC).

This investment aims to add 190,000 square feet of new exhibit hall space, 39,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space, including a rooftop ballroom. The project will create one contiguous hall of over 750,000 square feet.

The current venue offers 867,000 square feet of event space, including 720,000 square feet of exhibit halls and 64 meeting rooms.

The project also includes a new structure above Pico Boulevard, connecting the South and West Halls. The design, led by architecture firm Populous, will incorporate shimmering metal panels.

The expansion is expected to generate more than 15,000 jobs during construction and create over 2,000 new permanent jobs.

A city report from December 2023 estimates the expanded venue will attract 500,000 additional visitors annually through 83 new events, generating about $150 million in new visitor spending each year. Financial projections indicate the project will add $652 million in General Fund tax revenue over 30 years.

While US tourism is experiencing challenges, with overseas arrivals decreasing by 2.9 percent in August 2025, infrastructure investments like LACC modernization can help strengthen destination competitiveness.