SOM’s aptitude for thinking outside the blueprint was central to the Virginia Beach Convention Center expansion. With SOM's capacity to look beyond the immediate site both in terms of space and of moment, the project became the centerpiece for a 40-year Master Plan to reinvigorate a classic beach resort.

Project Facts

Completion Year: 2007
Site Area: 37.80 acres
Project Area: 516,522 ft²
Building Height: 147 ft
Number of Stories: 4

Project Awards

2005 • Virginia Beach Planning Commission • Design Award
2006 • BusinessWeek/Architectural Record • Citation for Excellence
2006 • Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate • Best Institutional Public Building: First Honor Award
2007 • AIA - Chicago Chapter • Distinguished Building Award
2007 • American Public Works Association • Public Works Project of the Year
2007 • Convention South Magazine • Reader's Choice Award: Winner
2007 • Facilities & Destinations Magazine • Prime Site Award
2007 • Real Estate & Construction Review • Plaque of Honor
2007 • Trade Show Executive • Innovation Award: Floor Grid
2007 • Virginia Department of Environmental Equality • Virginia Green Certification
2008 • American Institute of Steel Construction • IDEAS2 - Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel: Greater than $75 million Category, National Award Winner