The Miami Beach Convention Center renovation and expansion project has been named one of five finalists for the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Florida/Caribbean 2023 Project of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at the 2023 Vision Awards event on Nov. 28 in the JW Marriott Marquis, Miami.

“The Miami Beach Convention Center’s extensive renovation and expansion has revitalized the dated property into a first-class venue that celebrates its position as the civic and cultural heart of Miami Beach and drastically improves the experience for residents and convention attendees alike,” shared Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “We are grateful to ULI for this recognition.”

The ULI awards recognize excellence in the land use and real estate development space by honoring leaders and projects that elevate the standards of the industry and exemplify ULI’s commitment to responsibility while improving communities.

The Silver LEED-certified project transformed the Convention Center’s relationship with its surroundings, creating 12 acres of new green space and revitalizing the Collins Canal pedestrian walkway.

Welcoming more than 600,000 visitors annually, the center is also home to $10.2 million in public art acquired by the City of Miami Beach.

The project sought to transform the Miami Beach Convention Center into a resilient hub while addressing rising sea levels that threaten the region.

To create a welcoming outdoor space, the project replaced 6 acres of surface parking lot with a lush tropical park, which features a tropical garden, game lawn, shaded areas and a veteran’s plaza that highlights Miami Beach’s role in World War II. By adding 12 acres of total green space, the design increased the pervious acreage of the 25-acre campus by 245% and significantly reduced the heat island effect.

The City of Miami Beach project team included Fentress Architects, Arquitectonica, West 8, Wallace Engineering, ME Engineers, Kimley-Horn, Clark Construction and Hill International.

The other four finalists for the 2023 ULI award are Link at Douglas, Phase 1, Mosaico, Oasis Wynwood and The Plaza Coral Gables.

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