| The National Trade Centre is Canada's largest tradeshow facility, with over one million square feet of connected usable space. The National Trade Centre opened in April 1997 and was funded through the Canada/Ontario infrastructure works program. The National Trade Centre is owned by the City of Toronto and managed by O&Y/SMG Canada.
The National Trade Centre continues a tradition started in 1858 with the construction of the Crystal Palace, the first permanent trade and exhibition hall on the grounds of present-day Exhibition Place. With more than 90,000 sq.-metres (1 million sq.-feet) of connected usable space, the $180 million project, owned by the City of Toronto, combines the old with the new. The centre incorporates Exhibit Hall and three other new exhibition spaces with a renovated Coliseum Complex, the Industry Building and an underground tunnel to the revamped Automotive Building. Facilities include the 6,200-seat Coliseum, a 100-seat presentation theatre, 24 dividable meeting rooms and four enormous halls, capable of holding the largest trade and consumer shows in the world. Above-ground parking is available for 6,900 vehicles and underground parking can accommodate another 1,300. Its location on Lakeshore Boulevard puts it close to 120 hotels and public transit, and not far from Pearson International Airport.
In November 2004 an expansion to the facility was announced. The architects will continue to be Brisbin Brook Beynon of Toronto.
|