Built in 1874, the city's first convention center extended the length of 5th Street between K and L Streets, and was known as the Northern Liberty Market. For the time, it was an immense single room that was 324 feet long, 126 feet wide and 84 feet high at the center. The architecturally significant structure featured a curved roof and was supported, without any interior columns, by a series of enormous iron and steel trusses.
A second floor was added to form a large auditorium, with seating for 5,000. The building was renamed "Convention Center" and popularly known as "Convention Hall." The facility operated there for 50 years, hosting revival meetings, fairs, auto shows, roller-skating, bowling and a variety of amusement and sporting events.
By the early 1930's , Center Market the city's largest building was located at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street. It was later demolished for the government's Federal Triangle construction project. Many of that market's vendors moved a half-mile north to the Convention Center building, which was renamed "New Center Market."
The building continued to be used as a marketplace until a huge fire nearly destroyed the entire structure, collapsing the great roof. It was later rebuilt with a flat roof. The facility initially continued as New Center Market only to be renamed later Center Market City.
In the late 60’s the facility was converted for use by the National Historical Wax Museum. After the museum relocated, the old market stood vacant for several years and is eventually torn down in the mid-1980’s.
Plans were developed by the pre-home rule administration of the District of Columbia to build the “Eisenhower Civic Center” downtown. The plans included a 17,000 seat arena on the west side of 9th Street between New York Avenue NW and H Street NW, and a convention center on the east side of 9th Street bordered by Mount Vernon Place on the north, H Street on the south and 7th Street on the east.
Mayor Walter E. Washington, the city’s first home-rule mayor, endorsed a new downtown convention center as his administration’s economic development priority.
A compromise is struck between the DC City Council and Congress- the requested amount to finance the Center’s start-up is reduced, and the city agrees to institute special hotel taxes and secure development commitments to raise the remaining funds.
In the late 60’s the facility was converted for use by the National Historical Wax Museum. After the museum related, the old market stood vacant for several years and was eventually torn down in the mid-1980’s.
The Washington Convention Center opened its doors. At opening, it was the 4th largest convention center in the United States.
Throughout the mid 80’s and 90’s, 30 new convention centers are constructed across the country. Less than 15 years after opening, the Washington Convention Center ranks as the 30th largest facility in the US. Although more than 85 percent of show managers rebook and increase their attendance by more than 75 percent, the facility is too small to compete for a vast majority of national conventions and meetings.
The Washington Convention Center Authority is established to build and operate a new convention center.
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the new Washington Convention Center.
The new Washington Convention Center, just two blocks from the city’s original 1874 site, opens to tremendous fanfare located in the heart of downtown; the facility is ushering in unparalleled residential and commercial development. The Washington Convention Center is the primary catalyst for the renaissance of nearby historic communities and a new, vibrant, living downtown district.
In its first year of operation, the new Washington Convention Center collects many accolades – such as being named Best New Convention Center by Meetings East Magazine and rave reviews from clients. The facility hosts nearly 1 million visitors and generated $426.5 million in delegate spending.
The old Washington Convention Center was imploded and a parking lot was erected in its place, which today hosts special events. Past events include: holiday bazaars, sporting events, concerts and open air markets.
The Washington Convention Center and its design team receive the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) awards for the most successful urban development project. The Convention Center project is the first to ever receive the prestigious awards.
To honor the District of Columbia’s first Home Rule Mayor, the city government renames the building as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The late Mayor Washington’s last public appearance was at the new Convention Center’s grand opening in 2003; he passed a few months later at the age of 88.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center received a Guinness World Record for hosting the largest sit down dinner when we hosted the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Centennial Dinner, serving 16,206 guests.