The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is on a growth spurt

Reporting from Las Vegas — Starting in August, Las Vegas will have an additional 350,000 square feet of convention space. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is growing to more than two million square feet at the south end of the Strip.

The $66-million project promises more carpeted ballroom space and 900 underground parking spaces as well.

Construction began in October and the underground garage, construction footings and columns are complete. Since turning over that first shovel of dirt, more than 200 workers removed 88,000 cubic yards of dirt and poured 29,115 cubic yards of concrete. The framework alone is made up of 335 tons of joists, 650 tons of trusses, 1,600 tons of structural steel and 548 tons of decking.

When constructions ends in January, 2016, the space will feature more than 900,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. The events center is also home to a 12,000-seat concert hall where acts such as Ariana Grande perform.

The Mandalay Bay Events Center is the 15th largest convention center in the country behind the Las Vegas Convention Center, fourth with 3.2-million square feet and ninth-largest, the Sands Expo & Convention Center with 2.25 million square feet.
Info: Mandalay Bay Events Center, (877) 632-7900