Jacob K. Javits Convention Center – Overview

Opened in 1986, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has been New York City’s primary convention center for more than three decades. In a city of over eight million, that’s saying a lot. This impressive facility takes up an entire city block in the Manhattan’s up-and-coming Hudson Yards neighborhood.

One of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s most distinguishing features is its appearance. It is composed of a space frame structure fitted with a combination of solid stainless steel and transparent glass panels, the latter of which makes it easy for people outside to see what’s going on inside and vice versa. It certainly stands out amidst the concrete jungle that is New York City.

Equipped with a variety of meeting spaces both big and small, the interior of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is just as notable. Highlights of the facility include its 760,000 worth of exhibit space, the state-of-the-art Crystal Palace, and the upscale River Pavilion. With plenty of attendee-friendly amenities to boot, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is a bona fide meeting mecca.

Read on to learn more about what this world-class convention center has to offer, along with helpful tips and some interesting facts about its storied history.

Overview

2.1 million gross square feet: The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center encompasses over two million total square feet, making it one of the largest convention centers in the entire U.S. If that figure doesn’t sound staggering to you now, it definitely will once you realize that it equates to approximately seven whole acres of space in the heart of New York City.
760,000 square feet of exhibit space: There’s certainly no shortage of exhibit space at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The convention center’s 760,000 square feet of exhibit space is split between Levels 1 and 3. Level 1 features 250,000 square feet of useable space, while Level 3 has almost twice the amount at 410,000 square feet.
102 meeting rooms: For smaller functions that don’t require the expanse of an entire exhibit hall, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center features a total of 102 meeting rooms. Out of these 102 meeting rooms, 75 have been newly renovated. These rooms are capable of being set up in banquet, theater, or classroom-style configurations. Some of these rooms can be combined if needed.
75,000-square-foot concourse: Located on Level 2, the concourse is one of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s most open spaces. In its 1,000-foot span, the concourse features plenty of amenities, including retailers like a FedEx Office and Hudson Booksellers, a Starbucks, the facility’s transportation center, and even a shoe shine stand!
65,000-square-foot Crystal Palace: In a facility full of impressive spaces, the centrally located Crystal Palace still manages to stand out. This is mostly thanks to the Palace Lights at the Javits Convention Center, a state-of-the-art lighting system that was recently incorporated into the Crystal Palace’s soaring 15-story-high ceiling. The system is capable of displaying custom lighting sequences, which can be seen for miles because of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s transparent glass façade.
30,000-square-foot Special Events Hall: The Special Events Hall is yet another one of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s expansive, multifaceted spaces. It offers 30,000 square feet of space and is located on Level 1 between the exhibition halls on that floor. One notable event held in the Special Event Hall is the annual State of the Center Address.
23,400-square-foot River Pavilion: Like the Crystal Palace, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s River Pavilion is another space that’s sure to make a lasting impression. It is located on the top floor of the facility alongside the American Express OPEN Business Lounge. The glass walls of the pavilion provide guests with breathtaking panoramic views of the Hudson River; hence the name, River Pavilion.
Public plaza: Spanning just over one acre, the public plaza is the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s primary outdoor space. It features water walls, an array of benches, and a pedestrian link that runs under 11th Avenue.
Green roof: Like many other convention centers across the U.S., the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has made a concerted effort to go green. One of the facility’s most eco-friendly features is its 6.75-acre green roof, the second-largest of its kind. This state-of-the-art roof comes with a variety of advantages, including energy conservation and the reduction of storm runoff volume and peak flow. It’s also home to 27 bird species, five bat species, and thousands of honeybees. Tours of the green roof are offered upon request.
Amenities and on-site dining: The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is home to a number of amenities and on-site dining options. Amenities include a transportation center, taxi and shuttle services, a FedEx Office, three Hudson Booksellers, a shoe shine station, and the American Express OPEN Business Lounge, a lounge located on Level 4 open only to American Express cardholders. As for on-site dining, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center features two Starbucks located on Levels 2 and 3, a food court on Level 1, the Taste NY Bistro on Level 2, and a newer food court, the Crystal Palace Marketplace, on Level 3.

Tips

Water fountains can be hard to find, but there are plenty of them. A bottle of water costs around $4 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Instead of ponying up to buy a bottle there, just bring a reusable one from home. You can then fill it up as needed at the water fountains dotted throughout the facility; just make sure to keep an eye out for them. It’s worth noting that most of the water fountains are located near restrooms.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a warm article of clothing. Being that the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is such a large facility and you’ll likely be on your feet most of the day, a pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must-have. You should also bring a warm article of clothing that you can put on and take off as needed, since the temperature is kept pretty cold inside the convention center but can rise significantly in crowded areas.
Bring a portable charger. Electrical outlets are few and far between in this facility. The ones you do find will probably already be in use. Instead of scouring for an open one when it’s time to charge your phone, laptop, or other electronic device, bring a portable charger with you. Just remember to make sure it’s fully charged before you go!
You are allowed to bring in outside food and drinks. This is especially good news for attendees who aren’t looking to spend an arm and a leg on the food and beverages sold at the convention center. Whether you bring your own snacks and a reusable water bottle or get a quick bite to eat somewhere nearby, you’ll most likely end up saving yourself quite a bit of money.
If you need to take a cab after your event, try to leave as early as possible. That way you can beat the hordes of other attendees also looking for a cab to take them to their next destination. If you do end up leaving when everyone else does though, the subway is your best bet.
Attendees who need a scooter to get around must reserve one ahead of time. Scooter reservations can be made online on the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s website, as well as over the phone or by e-mail. The rental fees are as follows: $85 for one day, $150 for two days, $200 for three days, and $250 for four days. No other scooters are allowed in the building, so be sure to reserve one in advance if you know you’ll need it.
There are restrooms located on each floor, but they are few and far between. So, if you happen to pass one, use it even if you don’t really have to go. You never know when your next chance will be!

Trivia

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is LEED Silver-certified. Many convention centers have been going green as of late, and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is no different. After several extensive upgrades, including the addition of 100 energy-efficient HVAC units, the convention center was awarded LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2015. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
It is billed as the “busiest convention center in the U.S.” And rightfully so. The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center hosts more than 170 events per year, including big-name ones like New York Comic Con and the New York International Auto Show. It has hosted Comic Con since it first began in 2006 and the Auto Show since 1987, when it was moved from the aging New York Coliseum. All these events draw in over two million visitors per year. Being that the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is such a bustling venue, it’s a bit ironic that it’s only the 12th-largest convention center in the country.
The construction and early operation of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center were plagued by mob operations. For most people, the word “mob” brings to mind larger-than-life gangsters like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, which makes it hard to imagine that people like them really did exist. But they did, and some even played a big role in the history of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. They don’t anymore, obviously, and haven’t since 1995, when a court-appointed investigation panel charged that jobs at the convention center had come under Mafia control.