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New York's enormous Javits Center could grow $1 billion larger with Cuomo's plan and FXFOWLE's design

New York's enormous Javits Center could grow $1 billion larger with Cuomo's plan and FXFOWLE's design

As part of a package of proposals for his 2016 agenda, development on Manhattan’s West Side will intensify. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently revealed a $1 billion plan to expand the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The expansion, designed by New York–based FXFOWLE, calls for adding 1.2 million square feet of event and meeting space, as well as a four-story, 480,000-square-foot parking garage to house the 20,000 or so tractor-trailers that bring event supplies to and from the venue each year.

The Javits Center, between West 34th and West 40th streets along 11th Avenue, is one of the nation’s busiest convention centers. The state estimates that the convention center generated $1.8 billion in economic activity in 2014. Cuomo’s proposal would add 1.2 million square feet of space to the 2.1 million-square-foot venue, increasing its size by 50 percent. Upgrades include 500,000 square feet of uninterrupted event space, as well as a 60,000-square-foot ballroom.

The parking facility will improve pedestrian safety by diverting trucks from the streets surrounding the Javits Center into a central delivery area with 35 loading docks.

The venue is aiming to up its current LEED Silver certification to LEED Platinum with energy-saving upgrades. 2014 renovations added a 6.75 acre green roof, new flooring, and a new facade. A 34,000-square-foot solar energy array, the largest on any public building in New York, will be installed to complement these upgrades. Additionally, a terrace with a 2,500 person capacity will be built to take advantage of sweeping Hudson River views.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2016. See the gallery below for more images of the planned renovations.

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