Phoenix Convention Center–North Building

Services:
Project Management

Project Type:
Expansion

Location:
Phoenix, Arizona

Size:
1.5M SF

The Phoenix Convention Center North Building is a 1,500,000 square foot, four level convention center located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. This venue includes Exhibition Halls, Meeting Rooms, Grand Ballroom, Catering Kitchen, Food Court, and full complement of Front-of-House and Back-of-House Amenities. This expansion of the existing downtown destination required coordination with events and adjacent venue activities.

Pfocus provided Project Management services on behalf of the City of Phoenix, which included strategic leadership and day-to-day management. Pfocus was integrated into the project near the completion of Construction Documents to ensure delivery of the Project aesthetic, function, quality, budget and schedule goals. As Project Director, Rick Pfannenstiel led the City’s Management Team comprised of both City staff and another Project Management Firm to actively facilitate prudent and timely decisions among the City, Convention Center, Architect/Engineer, and Construction Manager at Risk.

PCC - CRW_1966_Phoenix Convention Center North Building and Canyon_8-2009

PCC - CRW_2034_PCC North Building_8-24-09

PCC - CRW_2038_PCC West Building taken from North Bldg plaza_8-28-09

PCC - CRW_8567_PCC Bridge without foreground tree_resize

Challenges Met

The project was challenged by an aggressive construction schedule and construction cost escalation. The Phoenix Convention Center operates with bookings years in advance with significant damages for cancellations. At the time, an over-heated construction market escalated construction costs across the board. Our approach facilitated the development, analysis, and progress of a comprehensive construction schedule, which enabled the Convention Center to host its well-advertised major event. By creatively packaging the project, the Convention Center opened on time and returned $7M of the Construction Contingency to the Owner.