Years in the making, the $250 million expansion at America’s Center is nearing completion, giving regional tourism boosters more flexibility as they work to position the city as a destination for major conferences, conventions, and events.
Much of the buzz around the project has been focused on the brand-new, 72,000-square-foot Hall 4X, which already looks like a massive upgrade to the adjacent event halls. The massive space features natural light from a series of windows, bright LED overhead lighting (a huge improvement from the yellow-tinged halogen lighting in older halls), and precisely zero pillars to obstruct the floor space.
Enhancements have also been made to the loading docks. It doesn’t sound sexy, but it’s exactly the kind of thing that event planners want. The 23 docks are now fully enclosed, allowing organizers to load and unload without worrying about the vagaries of St. Louis weather.
Perhaps the most unique new feature is the outdoor space that contains 40 culinary beds tucked away at the intersection of 10th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. There, fresh ingredients will be grown for use by Levy Restaurants, which oversees on-site food and beverage operations. The space will also be able to accommodate small outdoor gatherings. A new lobby and entrance area located off MLK Drive will also allow easier access to Halls 4X, 4, and 5.
Why It Matters: The convention industry is big business, but for years, St. Louis has struggled to catch up to peer host cities such as Indianapolis, Nashville, and Chicago. During the 2024 fiscal year, America’s Center hosted 67 events, welcomed nearly 900,000 guests, and contributed to almost 250,000 hotel room nights in the region. With more available space—and more attractive amenities for planners—regional leaders hope that the complex can continue building on those figures.
What’s Next: Hall 4X and the loading docks are ready to go. The lobby and entrance area is expected to be fully operational by spring. And last week, Explore St. Louis announced that the Church of God in Christ plans to host its annual Holy Convocation at America’s Center from 2026 to 2028, following what will have been a six-year hiatus. —Mike Miller
