With the debut of the expansion of the Baird Center in May, Milwaukee’s convention center doubled in size, bringing the total space to 1.3 million sf. The venue spreads across a 2-block radius and features a new grand entrance that looks toward Milwaukee’s Deer District mixed-use development, connecting the convention center to a key entertainment and social corridor in downtown.
The new space has added 24 new meeting rooms for a total of 52; added six new loading docks for a total of 22; added exhibition space, bringing the size to 300,000 contiguous sf; added 400 indoor parking spaces; added the new rooftop Baird Ballroom adjacent to the Baird Sky View Terrace, with magnificent panoramic views of the city; added a second kitchen; modernized the south building to look cohesive with the north building; and included intentional features such as all-gender restrooms; nursing mother’s rooms and sensory rooms. Another highlight—a robust collection of public art done by mostly Wisconsin-based artists.
During the grand opening, which Prevue attended, Marty Brooks, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, said, “The Baird Center expansion and modernization will elevate our city to its highest potential and drive economic impact throughout southeastern Wisconsin and create not-to-be-missed experiences for everyone who walks through these doors.”
On the sustainability front, the space was designed to take advantage of an existing downtown district steam loop to generate hot water and to provide heating. Excess heat produced from this process is designed to be used for the facility’s snow melt system during the Wisconsin winters. By incorporating steam, the expanded Baird Center is 23 percent more energy efficient than a typical new convention center. Other sustainable approaches include a solar roof, low-flow plumbing fixtures and LED lighting.
The expanded and modernized Baird Center is expected to attract an additional 100,000 out-of-state visitors annually and is expected to stimulate at least $12.6 billion in total spending in the state over 30 years. And it’s expected to generate at least $150 million in incremental state income.
“Milwaukee is the heart of the state’s tourism economy, and the Baird Center,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO, Visit Milwaukee, “is a huge part of what makes it beat.” She noted, too, that the convention center is “a stunning testament to the power of bold leadership, forward-thinking, inclusive design and a people-first culture.” —Paloma Villaverde de Rico [ON LOCATION]
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