Demolition begins on multimillion-dollar renovation to Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Demolition will begin this week as the Kentucky Exposition Center undergoes the next step of its multimillion-dollar renovation.

In a news release Tuesday, Kentucky Venues said the work begins Tuesday at Newmarket Hall, paving the way for Phase I of the project.

“The Kentucky Exposition Center is a globally recognized events facility, home to a tremendous amount of history and now undergoing some long overdue enhancements,” said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “With the support of and direct appropriation by the Kentucky General Assembly, our expansion and renovation will mark the most significant change to our footprint since 1956, transforming it into a venue capable of hosting major events at a scale never seen before.”

Below are the details of the first two phases:

Phase I: $180 million

350,000-square-foot multi-purpose building to host events just east of Broadbent Arena and north of the West Wing
- Will include the expo center's largest Class A exhibit hall and adjacent meeting rooms and officers

Phase II: $213 million

The West Wing, West Hall and Pavilion will be redeveloped into a single, connected 249,000-square-foot multi-purpose building with Class A exhibit space, large pre-function space and new meeting rooms
Enhancements to existing food and beverage operations, creating a total of 40,000 square feet to serve and feed guests

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