Press Release
October 29,1999
NEW YORK, NY -- Groundbreaking has been set for March 2000 for a new Puerto Rico Convention Center, to be completed
October 2002 - three years from today, according to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), which is overseeing
the development and operation of the center.
The 600,000 square-foot center, the centerpiece of Phase I of a three-phase plan, will sit on a 110-acre site that
is centrally located in San Juan on the tip of Isla Grande and convenient to Old San Juan, Condado and Miramar,
as well as the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. It will connect with an 800-room hotel, the developer of
which will be named in January 2000.
The center will be part of the ambitious Americas World Trade District with a unique waterfront setting that will
be one of the largest waterfront development projects in the history of the U.S. and its territories. The District,
conceived as a dynamic urban center, will enable visitors to experience the distinctiveness of Puerto Rico in what
will be a gathering place for shopping, education, recreation and entertainment, to include restaurants, museums
and a movie theatre.
``The Puerto Rico Convention Center will allow us to accommodate events which we have not been able to previously
because of size or other special requirements,'' stated Jose A. Corujo, executive director, Puerto Rico Tourism
Company. ``In addition to creating a structure that is consistent with the quality and standards of a state-of-the-art,
world-class convention center -- we've also sought to design a facility with an architectural expression which
recalls the island's natural resources and unique beauty to offer a truly distinctive convention and travel experience.''
The cost for the center alone is estimated to be $195 million, with about $60 million targeted for the District
infrastructure. The project is being funded by bonds and by a portion of the hotel room tax. Research conducted
on behalf of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company projects 242,000 meeting attendees at the center in 2003, increasing
to 413,000 by 2007; room nights would start out at 128,000 in 2003 and leap to 206,000 by 2007.
This is the first time the three central areas of San Juan have been jointly considered in a plan. Linking The
Golden Triangle of Isleta, Condado and Isla Grande will create a renewed focus on the city's extensive waterfront
assets. Connections by walks and water taxis will join the three areas - providing distinct pedestrian-friendly
zones, walkways, bike paths, lake paths and promenades.
Canal Connection
The main artery of the center will be a 545-meter canal that will connect it with the San Antonio Canal, allowing
access for boats from other hotels and tourist attractions in San Juan. The District will be organized around the
canal. A covered Convention Center Boulevard will connect the Center to the proposed 800-room hotel, as well as
to water-level walkways that link the Center with other elements in the District. A series of scenic bridges will
provide dramatic access to and from the Center.
One side of the canal will have restaurants (including outdoor cafes), shops and a four-level promenade; the contrasting
``natural edge'' of the canal will become Canal Park, designated exclusively as open space for recreational use,
including jogging, picnicking and strolling along the water's edge. Dining choices will range from an elegant meal
in a five-star restaurant to a simple sandwich to enjoy while walking along the promenade.
A unique children's museum called Prisma, The Exploratorium, will be located in the park. Initiated by First Lady
Maga Rossello, Prisma will be an interactive high-tech and science museum offering education and entertainment
for children of all ages. Prisma's landscape will include forests and mangroves.
The architecture and other elements of the Center and District are designed to reflect Puerto Rico's history and
natural beauty. For instance, water was once central to the district area when Isla Grande was a series of canals
before it was later converted to a navy base. When complete, the district will provide stunning views of the water.
``Creating a sense of place that roots the Center to Puerto Rican heritage, culture and history is crucial in creating
a memorable experience for the visitor and setting the center apart from its competition,'' said Thomas Ventulett,
senior principal of the firm TVS International, designers of the convention center. ``The theme of Puerto Rican
heritage will include the use of materials, patterns and colors distinctive to Puerto Rico, as well as the integration
of contemporary architecture within the historical fabric of San Juan.''
Toward that end, the dominant architectural expression will be provided by the large, sweeping roof forms that
recall waves in their shape, color and translucency. Also, Puerto Rico's rain forest will emerge as a theme for
the center, through the use of indigenous flora and fauna to create an ``urban forest'' that will become a central
theme for the development.
Everything - water, bridges, silhouette, sense of place, urban forest - come together in the ``batay'' or outdoor
room - which provides a grand ceremonial entrance court, a communal gathering space with opportunities for outdoor
and cultural entertainment. It integrates the water theme to celebrate arrival by land and by sea. It is in the
monumental urban scale of this outdoor room, at the confluence of the major center and district themes, that the
grand scale and intimate scale come together in a facility that is unique to Puerto Rico.
The single most important urban design issue affecting the center is the turning basin - located at the south end
of the canal. Over four acres in size, it acts as a ``welcoming foyer'' to the Center. This is an urban ``water
plaza,'' creating a landmark address and water view for hotels fronting the space. This is a multi-purpose arrival
point for people arriving by water taxi, auto, shuttle bus and by foot in civic grandeur. The basin also connects
the Center to the District.
The streets within the District will be wide, pedestrian-friendly boulevards with wide sidewalks that will be shaded
by trees and rimmed with lush landscaping.
Landscape design will be a major feature of the project. The aim is a lush, tropical environment that blends business
activities and a resort-like feel. Four major landscape zones will feature lawns, trees, tropical vegetation, street
furnishings, graphics, outdoor furnishings, water features, lighting and artwork.
Old San Juan, which dates back 400 years and has retained its colonial character and charm, is about three miles
west of the District.
Spectacular Spaces
The core of the Convention Center will be 150,000 square feet of exhibition space; in addition, the Center will
provide 40,000 square feet of ballroom space, 40,000 square feet of meeting space, pre-function areas and support
space. Parking will be located under the main structure. Successive phases of development will add about 500,000
square feet of gross building area - as demand dictates.
The first hotel, to open in conjunction with the center, will provide 800 rooms and command views across the San
Antonio Channel to Old San Juan and the ocean. It will house a casino.
The adjacent World Trade Center will comprise twin towers totaling a maximum of 420,000 square feet of net leasable
spaces to be built in two phases. The center will house trade organizations, professional associations, tourist
organizations and convention center services.
Selling the Center
Since many meetings are booked years in advance, a marketing campaign for the new center is well under way. The
awareness phase of that campaign has been ongoing and includes marketing and public relations, logo and identity.
An advisory board will be announced in January, 2000. Also being developed are a newsletter and website. A comprehensive
marketing campaign will begin next April.
The Key Players
Among the key players in the design and development of the center are: C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., lead consultants
on development, finance, master planning, marketing and construction; Conventional Wisdom Corp, co-project manager
and team leader for the facilities; TVS International, design architects; and Sasaki Associates, land planner and
urban planner, landscape design. Jimenez + Rodriquez Barcelo serves as production architect and CSA Architects
& Engineers as project manager.
Phases To Come
The opening of the center in 2002 is part of Phase I of the District project. This phase will also include an 800-room
hotel, a parking garage, Phase I of the World Trade Center and housing.
Phase II will see an additional 150,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as more meeting and service areas;
housing, office buildings and retail. It will also bring a Corporate Education Center to provide support to members
of the World Trade Center Phase III will include the final 150,000 square feet of exhibit space with more meeting,
banquet and service areas; a 400-room hotel (920 rooms pending the granting of a variance), and Phase II of the
World Trade Center.
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is the government agency responsible for the development and implementation of
public policy for the tourism industry in Puerto Rico, as well as promoting the island as a destination.
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Contact:
TCG/Tierney & Company
Patricia Tierney or Christine Hinz
212/983-7200
or
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Marileana Soto
787/722-2400 x2069