Black-owned engineering and design firm KAI has completed work on the $210 million expansion and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
The AC Next Gen project modernized and expanded the America’s Center Convention Complex, marking the facility’s first major expansion since the early 1990s.
The upgrades added 75,000 square feet of exhibit space and 30,000 square feet of service and support areas. Improvements to the loading docks along Cole Street were also included, while modernization of the Washington Avenue entrance remains underway.
KAI’s role focused on improving the building’s mechanical and energy systems to support the expanded facility. The firm designed a new chiller plant to enhance cooling capacity, updated boiler systems, replaced aging air-handling equipment and supported electrical infrastructure upgrades.
“To ensure continuous functionality, we engineered connections between the new and existing cooling systems so either could support the facility during maintenance or service shutdowns,” said KAI Mechanical Group Leader Peter McDonnell. “This approach minimized disruptions during construction and ensured reliable climate control.”
KAI Engineering also designed a separate boiler plant for the expansion and incorporated upgrades such as new gas lines and safety shut-off features.
“The design addressed long-standing operational goals for Explore St. Louis while improving reliability and efficiency,” McDonnell said.
The expansion was built on the site of a former parking garage spanning two city blocks. The project required utility relocations and street modifications, including narrowing Cole Street to accommodate a new enclosed loading dock with space for 20 semi-trailers and ramp access to the exhibit hall.
The multi-year renovation and expansion created thousands of construction and hospitality jobs and supports St. Louis’ convention and tourism industry.