Miami Beach Convention Center designers ranked

A committee in Miami Beach ranked the firms seeking to land a design contract for the $500 million renovation of the city’s convention center.

Fentress Architects earned the top ranking from the committee, which was comprised of residents, community leaders and industry professionals, according to the Miami Herald. Gensler and LMN Architects tied for second, with Woods Bagot behind them in fourth. A total of eight companies submitted applications.

Hiring a design criteria professional is a necessary step before Miami Beach can select a firm to design and enhance the convention center. City Manager Jimmy Morales will take the rankings into account before making his own recommendation. Commissioners are expected to vote on the design firm on April 9.

A $1 billion redevelopment of the convention center was scrapped in January by the commission. [Miami Herald] — Eric Kalis