RALEIGH, N.C.—Raleigh Convention Center has released new interior renderings of its planned expansion, offering event planners and visitors a preview of the upgraded venue, expected to open in 2029.
The newly released images showcase several key features of the expansion, including an 18,000-square-foot ballroom designed with claret tones, bronze ceiling accents, decorative lighting, and abstract carpeting. The ballroom is intended to provide flexible configurations for both upscale and casual events.
Renderings also highlight a 50,000-square-foot flex hall featuring panoramic windows with blackout capabilities. The space is designed to accommodate a variety of event types, including banquets for up to 3,000 attendees, sporting events, exhibits, and general sessions.
The expansion also will add 13 meeting rooms, along with new pre-function and registration areas designed to improve attendee flow and encourage networking and conversation between sessions.
One of the project’s signature features will be the “Shimmer Walk,” a third-floor connector allowing visitors to view the venue’s Shimmer Wall art installation from a new vantage point while traveling between buildings. The walkway also will provide views of downtown Raleigh.
The design emphasizes spaces that encourage interaction and gathering while maintaining continuity between the existing facility and the expansion. The current convention center features lighter décor, while the new addition will incorporate darker tones intended to complement the original building.
“We worked hard with our architects and project team, got feedback from clients, and designed a space that really is right for our event partners,” says Kerry Painter, executive director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “We’re not just adding footage to add footage; so much thought and intention went into this to build something that was beautiful, functional, and exactly right for Raleigh and all the people who our venue bring here.”
The expansion is part of a broader wave of downtown development projects, including renovations to Lichtin Plaza at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the planned new Red Hat Amphitheater in 2027, and a proposed 600-room Omni Hotel expected in 2028.
Construction on the convention center expansion is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026.
