New convention center with sustainable design opened in Buenos Aires

[sandensea]

Last edited Wed Oct 11, 2017, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

The new Buenos Aires Exhibition and Convention Centre (CEC) opened on September 28.

One of the city's most important public developments in recent years, its innovative architecture offers versatile column-free exhibition spaces while adding a new, rooftop park.

With a total exhibition space of 18,000 m² (194,000 ft²) and capacity for around 5,000 people, the center's three underground levels include a plenary hall, auxiliary hall, a double-height lobby, and 900 parking spaces.

Located between the University of Buenos Aires Law School and Thays Park, in Buenos Aires' upscale Recoleta section, the center will include a new H-line subway station next year.

Sustainability as a priority

Designed by local architect Edgardo Minond, work began on the CEC in 2014. The CEC replaces the city's antiquated Municipal Exposition Center, built in 1971, and its former parking lot.

The CEC included 5 acres of new park space over the structure, while preserving 100 year-old lapacho (Pau d'arco) trees at the site. Other notable environmental design features include solar panels, numerous skylights, and a system for rainwater collection for watering plants.

The CEC was also welcomed by the city's tourist sector, as Buenos Aires has become a leading convention destination over the last decade. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) noted that the 103 international conventions and exhibitions held last year - up from 82 in 2015 - made Buenos Aires the top such destination in Latin America.

Cost overruns

The project created some controversy as a result of its sizable cost overruns. Budgeted in February 2014 at 314 million pesos ($39 million at the time), it ultimately cost the city 803 million pesos - roughly $70 million, using the average exchange rate since then.

The city's Ministry of Urban Development, which oversaw the project, blames Argentina's chronically high inflation - currently 26% - but critics note that most construction took place before November 2015, when then-mayor Mauricio Macri inaugurated the center's park and main hall as part of his presidential campaign.

Around 400 million pesos had been spent by then.

At: https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en/article/buenos-aires-exhibition-and-convention-centre-cec

And: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lanacion.com.ar%2F2030484-el-nuevo-centro-de-exposiciones-abrira-sus-puertas-en-el-tercer-trimestre&edit-text=

[Judi Lynn]

1. Isn't it beautiful! Good grief. Another landmark.

No one planned this project overnight!

What a fantastic addition to any city, anywhere! This place will be used and loved for ages, no doubt. They should be proud.
Sorry to know it was completed during Macri's nasty time in office.

The arrangement of established trees is completely novel to me. Have never seen them done this way. So cool.

Thank you, sandensea!

[sandensea]

2. Great finds, Judi.

Thank you for those!

Having visited the site during its construction a couple of years ago, as well as earlier while it was still the Municipal Expo Center parking lot, I definitely agree that this adds to the city - the rooftop park in particular.

Macri, who commissioned the new CEC as mayor, certainly deserves credit for that (and he'd be the first to say so!) - though he also deserves some flack for letting a $39 million project balloon to $70 million. The same goes for the new city hall.

No wonder the builder (CRIBA, one of Argentina's largest construction firms) donated $90,000 to his 2015 campaign -
illegally since they're also a top public contractor. But unlike his opponents, he doesn't have to worry about any pesky charges.

The site itself, interestingly, is no stranger to controversy. The eastern end was home to the former Italpark amusement park, which was the most popular in Argentina until its closure in 1990 due the accidental death of a 15 year-old girl when a flying scooter came loose.

Here's footage from Italpark, ca. 1980. Enjoy!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Very nice place for children to spend an afternoon. Wow. What a shame it claimed a little victim.

That has happened in far too many places.

This parque looked very well managed. I would think it was a freak accident, but it's good they didn't want to take a second chance after the horrible event.

Had momentarily forgotten Macri was the mayor there, before he oozed his way into the Presidency. That's just sad.

Probably so many, many happy memories of that place stashed away in the memories of grown up children from that time. It was touching, for sure.