New Jekyll Island Convention Center Proves Stylish and Sensible

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly constructed Jekyll Island Convention Center is the only oceanfront convention facility on the east coast south of New Jersey, a fact not lost on the building's design team. Throughout the 128,000-square foot building, hints of the coastal environment are found.

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The natural green, tan and blue hues that make up the overall color scheme of the center reflect both the nearby sands, waters and maritime forest that attract thousands of guests to the island each year.

Architectural design firm HHCP crafted the center's Atlantic Hall ballroom to be versatile for almost any size crowd. At 45,000-square feet, the ballroom can be a single, grand room with unobstructed space, or can be divided into as many as eight sections to hold up to 6,900 attendees.

In addition to the flexible Atlantic Hall, the new center will offer an additional 11 breakout meeting rooms, large pre-function areas, and more than 30,000-square feet of patio and lawn function areas.

The center has been built using eco-friendly design standards, earning a silver-level LEED certification. Designers were extremely conscious of the fragile coastal eco-system in which they were working, making sure that details such as solar panels, low impact lighting throughout 90 percent of the building, and a reflective roof were all included in blueprints.

"We designed and built this facility to the highest of standards," said Mike Chatham, lead architect with HHCP design firm. "The magnitude to detail put into the entire structure was above and beyond anything people have seen before. We strove for greatness and succeeded."

Reusing locally-sourced materials for the building was also a key component of planning. Shells and sea glass from Georgia shores were ground into the hallway while reclaimed South Georgia pine was used as flooring in the Ben Porter Salon event room.

"We worked hard for several years to ensure we built the premier conference center in the nation," said Bob Krueger, chair of the Jekyll Island Authority. "Immaculate thought and care was put into all the details of creating this impressive structure. This venue is efficient, effective and utterly state-of-the-art."

Already, the Jekyll Island Convention Center is gaining attention on a state-wide and national scale. More than 200 conventions have already been book for the center through 2016, which will generate more than $40 million in economic impact for the State of Georgia. Historic levels of meetings and conventions are projected to be achieved in 2013 and beyond.

"With this facility, we did more than create the premier convention center in the nation," said Jones Hooks, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority. "We've created a destination. The new Jekyll Island Convention Center will be a shining star for the State of Georgia."

SOURCE Jekyll Island Authority