World Market Center

World Market Center Las Vegas (WMCLV) is located at 495 S. Grand Central Pkwy. in downtown Las Vegas. WMCLV attracts thousands of interior designers, furniture buyers and retail sellers from leading facilities around the nation and the world.

The first phase of this state-of-the-art home furnishings complex was completed in 2005. The phase one building is a 10-story venue comprised of 1.3 million square feet and 230 showrooms. Phase two opened in January 2007 and includes 300 showrooms on 16 floors comprising 1.6 million square feet.

Construction on phase three of the massive WMC complex was completed on July 2008. Phase three consists of 2.1 million square feet housing 400 showrooms on 16 floors. This third building is the largest and most diversified showroom structure to date at World Market Center.

In conjunction with the opening of Building C, a $60-million, seven-story parking garage with 175,000 square feet on each level also opened. The parking garage will accommodate 3,600 vehicles and allow for up to 15 levels with future phases. In 2007, the city of Las Vegas granted approval for construction of WMC’s fourth building. The 1.1 million-square-foot building will feature 17 floors and connect seamlessly to the third building. Construction is anticipated to be announced to be announced in the fourth quarter of 2008. When the fourth building is completed within an estimated two years, World Market Center Las Vegas will offer more than six million square feet of permanent showrooms.

The city of Las Vegas provided financial incentives through Tax Increment Financing to the center’s developers to attract them to the downtown area. Tax Increment Financing.

The original WMCLV concept called for 7.5 million square feet, valued at $1 billion and generating $9.3 million in annual property taxes. Due to its success, a total of 12 million square feet is now planned.  WMC owners and operators assert that, when fully built-out, the 12-million-square-foot campus will “be the largest, most comprehensive trade show complex in the world.”

Currently, World Market Center Las Vegas sponsors semiannual furniture trade shows attended by more than 100,000 national and international furniture buyers and representatives each year. The trade show complex will ultimately open year-round after expanding their offerings into other related areas including lighting, decorative and floral furnishings, plumbing, floor coverings and more.

Since it first opened its doors in July 2005, WMCLV has had a substantial economic impact on the area — an impact that is expected to grow dramatically. More than 1,500 permanent, full-time jobs are the result of the first two building phases. When all eight phases of the 12-million-square-foot complex are completed in 2010, it is projected that WMCLV will generate 35,000 direct and indirect jobs.

World Market Center Las Vegas  has also produced a number of public improvements by utilizing the city of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency’s Tax Increment Financing incentive program. These public improvements include installation of storm drainage, site lighting, fencing, sidewalks and retaining walls.
 
The center has also increased local demand for business (rather than leisure-oriented) hotels. It has also spurred purchases for nearby condominiums, fueled by the need to provide accommodations for traveling clients and company executives.

World Market Center Las Vegas has created a new industry, furthering economic diversification for the Las Vegas Valley. Entities such as the World Jewelry Center are currently considering building a corporate headquarters in Las Vegas thanks to the success of World Market Center Las Vegas.

Aerial of World Market Center Las Vegas 5.1 million square foot campus featuring buildings A, B and C, along with a parking garage

World Market Center Las Vegas Grand Plaza depicting buildings A, B and C