Today, His Worship Mayor
Miller, and Deputy Mayor & Chair of Exhibition Place Joe Pantalone
officially broke ground to celebrate the start of construction of
Toronto’s newest Conference Centre redevelopment.
The 160,000 square foot Automotive Building, at Exhibition Place
is undergoing a $46.88 million renovation to create a new Conference
Centre which is targeted to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Silver rating design standard. The design of
the Conference Centre is respectful of the historical aspects of the
original Art Deco building, and will feature panoramic lake views
and natural light throughout the lobby, pre-function and meeting
room spaces. Consultations with meeting and convention planners and
industry partners have resulted in a user-friendly, environmentally
responsible design. Upon completion in spring 2009, the project will
become a showcase as it will be the first LEED Silver Conference
Centre in Canada.
“As Chair of the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place, I am
excited about this redevelopment as yet another element in the ongoing
rejuvenation of Exhibition Place. This results in Canada’s largest and
most modern convention and exhibition centre in the Direct Energy
Centre/Conference Centre Complex, with over one million square feet of
space under one roof, and supports the City’s important tourism
industry,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone.
Architects for the Conference Centre redevelopment is Toronto-based
architects NORR Limited, Architects & Engineers, David Clusaiu,
Principle Architect; and the General Contractor for the project has
been awarded to Markham-based Van Bots Construction.
About Exhibition Place:
Exhibition Place is Canada’s largest entertainment venue,
attracting over 5.2 million visitors a year. Located at Exhibition
Place is the award-winning Direct Energy Centre, Canada’s largest
exhibition and convention centre. The 192-acre site is an integral
component of Toronto and Ontario’s economy, particularly with respect
to sport, festivals, recreation, culture and tourism.
The need for additional meeting rooms and ballrooms was identified
in the Development Concept Plan of the Board of Governors of
Exhibition Place. Exhibitions, meetings and conventions may utilize
the Conference Centre as a stand alone venue or in combination with
the adjacent 1 million square foot Direct Energy Centre complex –
Canada’s largest exhibition and convention centre. The Conference
Centre will be connected to Direct Energy Centre via an underground
walkway, offering attendees year round, climate controlled access from
the exhibition halls and underground parking facilities.
In September 2007 The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place
entered into exclusive negotiations with HKHotels following their
response to a Request for Proposal for the development, construction
and management of an on-site, privately-financed convention hotel. The
HKHotels proposal sited the hotel in the lands south of the Direct
Energy Centre, and adjacent to the Automotive Building/Conference
Centre.
Since 2004, Exhibition Place has undertaken an environmental
stewardship initiative, which includes the promotion of sustainable
development, environmental initiatives and leading edge green
technologies and practices across the 192-acre site. This
environmental initiative has resulted in award winning recognition
across North America, and has established Exhibition Place as a world
leader in energy-efficient technologies.
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