Yesterday, the city's Economic Development Corporation announced that it has chosen real estate firm Vornado Realty—specifically its subsidiary Merchandise Mart Properties—to expand and operate Pier 94, a convention center situated on the Hudson River at 55th Street. The plan is for the current facility to extend into Pier 92, which would increase the existing space to a total of 355,000 square feet, up from 175,000. Also part of the development will be a 9,300-square-foot winter garden and a 60,000-square-foot logistics center on Pier 92 that will provide load-in and load-out areas.
The move to create a larger space for trade shows and conferences comes in response to the city's eagerness to draw in additional business from the convention industry."This new, expanded facility will enable us to accommodate more of the mid-size trade shows that we know want to come to New York City," said New York City Economic Development Corporation president Seth W. Pinksy in the announcement. "Convention business, including trade and consumer shows, last year drew nearly four million visitors to the city and injected $4.32 billion into the local economy. This new, expanded facility will allow us to win a greater share of this multibillion-dollar business."
Supported by City Council speaker Christine Quinn as well as NYC & Company, New York's tourism agency, the project will also include three separate entrances and an outdoor esplanade on the north and west sides of the Pier 94 property.
The move to create a larger space for trade shows and conferences comes in response to the city's eagerness to draw in additional business from the convention industry."This new, expanded facility will enable us to accommodate more of the mid-size trade shows that we know want to come to New York City," said New York City Economic Development Corporation president Seth W. Pinksy in the announcement. "Convention business, including trade and consumer shows, last year drew nearly four million visitors to the city and injected $4.32 billion into the local economy. This new, expanded facility will allow us to win a greater share of this multibillion-dollar business."
Supported by City Council speaker Christine Quinn as well as NYC & Company, New York's tourism agency, the project will also include three separate entrances and an outdoor esplanade on the north and west sides of the Pier 94 property.
