Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland

Construction and expansion

1,000,000 Square Feet

Cleveland, Ohio

Construction Management

DVA Architecture LLC is proud to have worked on both the original construction of the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, as well as the 2024 expansion.

In 2024, the Cleveland Convention Center completed a $51 million expansion, transforming the former Global Center for Health Innovation into a dynamic hub for events and gatherings. This on-time, under-budget project aimed to attract new convention business and spur economic growth in downtown Cleveland.

The project centered around the westward expansion on the Ontario side of the building, which allowed the first-floor ballroom to double in size to an impressive 22,000 square feet. This expanded ballroom can now be subdivided into smaller meeting spaces and is equipped with upgraded audio and visual capabilities, catering to a wide range of events. Above, a new outdoor entertainment terrace offers panoramic views of downtown Cleveland, ideal for weddings, corporate events, and other celebrations.

Additionally, former office spaces were transformed into unique meeting suites on the upper floors, featuring soft seating, pool tables, LED lighting, and other sought-after amenities. These flexible suites provide modern, branded spaces for meetings and lounging, offering an open, airy atmosphere to the convention center’s primarily underground layout. The central atrium, enhanced with escalators, now welcomes guests with expansive city and lakefront views, giving the convention center a fresh, inviting feel while supporting Cleveland’s vision for a thriving downtown.

Original Construction

In 2009, Turner Construction Company, Ozanne Construction, and DVA Architecture LLC were selected by Cuyahoga County and MMPI to be the Design-Builder for the $465 million Cleveland Convention Center and Global Center for Health Innovation (GCHI) project. Services for the one million square-foot project included preconstruction starting in May 2010, and concluded with delivery of a GMP in November 2010, based on design development documents.

The preconstruction team led the effort to manage early cost estimates in the $500 million range to ultimately achieve the client’s goal of a $350 million GMP. The team delivered the project three months early through staff experience and innovative use of technology, including full BIM use. The four-story, 225,000 SF GCHI consists of medical showrooms, meeting rooms and a ballroom, and serves as the main entrance for the new Convention Center. The 750,000 SF Convention Center was constructed in place of the existing facility under the existing public mall and includes an exposition hall, meeting rooms, amenities, and a newly designed public mall plaza above.

As part of the design and construction management team, DVA provided Architectural, Interior Design, LEED certification and Construction Management services for this project. As Design-Build Manager, DVA coordinated the numerous A/E firms involved in the preconstruction process. DVA also provided design services for the Concession Stands, Leasing Plans, Administrative Offices, and FF&E package.

DVA was responsible for ensuring that the project achieves its sustainability goals. This involved performing a detailed LEED Credit compliance review for each interim Construction Documents package issued as well as tracking the impact of each submittal relative to the specific LEED Credit and overall goals. In addition, DVA was responsible for the Erosion, Sediment and Indoor Air Quality Inspection Reports during construction.

LEED: Gold Certification

Award: 2014 ENR Midwest Best of Merit

Award: 2017 National AIA Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design as part of the Cleveland Civic Core and Convention Center Complex submission