Call them Hall I and Hall J. That expansion of the Marriott Marquis in San Diego we’ve been telling you about is set to be completed in time for this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, and we can only imagine everyone is slavering over getting a chance to hold their activation in the new event spaces, which adds up to over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and outside space.
The construction, which replaces the old Marriott Hall (a mysterious place I never knowingly entered in 20 years of con going) is being replaced by a new $107 million expansion that includes:
is set to be completed in time for this year’s Comic-Con, and we can only imagine everyone is slavering over getting a chance to hold their activation in the new event spaces, which add up to over 100,000 sq. ft.
The construction, which replaces the old Marriott Hall (a mysterious place I never knowingly entered in 20 years of con going) is being replaced by a new $70 million expansion that includes:
• Two spectacular 36,000 square-foot ballrooms (Marriott Grand Ballroom & Pacific Ballroom), each capable of accommodating up to 3,700 guests. Claiming to be “the largest ballrooms on the West Coast,” both have foyers reaching up to 25,000 sq. feet which could expand the space.
• Marina Terrace: 27,000 square feet of paved outdoor event space overlooking the marina. The area can accommodate up to 4000 guests.
• Marina Walk, a landscaped walkway replete with public art, decorative paving and waterfront views. The installations include two by Los Angeles-based art collective, After Architecture: “Tide,” an exterior sculpture comprised of a series of LED-illuminated waves, and “Kelp,” an installation constructed of painted steel strips and symbolic of sunlight kelp on the ocean floor. The area is wheelchair accessible and includes bike racks and seating areas.
The new building, which was designed by the well-known tvsdesign firm includes blue glass construction, and wave patterns throughout. The ballrooms entry way is bedazzled with “Tides” a one-of-a-kind Swarovski crystal installation. Patricia Richey, lead designer and principal with tvsdesign says the design team “drew inspiration from the host community with its iconic coastline, which we incorporated into the design, capturing a sense of fluidity and movement throughout.”
There’s also a state-of-the-art 16-screen video wall system. Ready for the Deadpool 2 trailer no doubt.
“It’s such an exciting time to plan an event at Marriott Marquis as we greatly expand our options,” says Tuni Kyi, Marriott’s General Manager in a statement. “This summer we’ll be unveiling a truly fresh and innovative product, answering to the tremendous demand we receive here at the hotel.”
With the Marriott Marquis located right next to the convention center, this is almost like a defacto expansion with the two huge new ballrooms available. While not as large as Hall H, they are comparable to Ballroom 20 and the Bayside Hilton exhibit areas.
The old Marina Ballroom is where the anime screenings and fulfillment from panels was held, as you can see from this 2013 floor plan. The new construction was approved in 2012, started in 2015 and ready for Comic-Con 2016. Pretty sure that new outside area will be the new go to to sit outside and complain about how your feet hurt and it’s too crazy and why. And CAN YOU IMAGINE THE ACTIVATIONS???? Exciting times.
Correction: The original report stated that the Marriott’s renovation cost $70 million. The correct figure is $107 million.
(Are you keeping the new bathroom a secret?)
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