Located in the Marina District near the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Convention Center was designed by Arthur Erickson, a Canadian architect. Boasting more than 600,000 square feet of exhibition space, it is the 24th largest facility of its kind in North America. The roof of the Sails Pavilion is the building’s most distinctive feature. The Teflon-coated fiberglass panels summon images of ship sails and reflect the maritime history of the city. Another unique feature is the outdoor, inclined elevator. Completed in 1989 and expanded 12 years later, the convention center hosts major political, business and entertainment events like the annual Comic-Con Convention.