Here's what the new Austin Convention Center could look like
"City staff and architects revealed renderings of the $1.6 billion Unconventional ATX project, showcasing the extensive expansion of the existing building in downtown on East Cesar Chavez Street, during a public meeting on Tuesday.
The existing center is scheduled to close this April to allow for demolition to begin. The $1.26 billion construction project is funded by the convention center's share of the city's hotel occupancy tax and its own revenue
'The redevelopment of the convention center will create a vital downtown amenity and urban connector,' Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. 'With a design that emphasizes street-level openness and accessibility, vibrant public plazas, and pedestrian-friendly pathways, this transformation will enhance connectivity and inclusivity, creating a more accessible and engaging downtown experience for residents and visitors.'
Here's what we know.
The Austin Convention Center's makeover will nearly double its rentable square footage, expanding from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet.
The update, designed through a joint venture of LMN Architects and Page Southerland Page, will feature more outdoor amenities such as open-air terraces and public plazas. According to the Austin Convention Center Department, it will also be the world's first zero-carbon-certified convention center.
The new center is intended to serve as a 'cultural hub' by connecting with the surrounding Waterloo Greenway and Palm Districts and showcasing art installations and interactive exhibits. It is also being designed to integrate with the ongoing Project Connect transportation projects in Austin.
This will be done in part with a $17.7 million investment in public art, the largest in Austin's history," according to the department.
Unconventional ATX will also reopen Third Street for multimodal traffic and enhance Second Street to make it more pedestrian-friendly.
'The new Austin Convention Center is more than a venue — it's a landmark that reflects our city's bold and creative spirit,' said Trisha Tatro, director of the Austin Convention Center Department. 'With its dynamic design, enhanced community access, and commitment to sustainability, this facility will set a new benchmark for convention spaces while strengthening Austin's reputation as a premier global destination.'
The Austin Convention Center will close for demolition in April of this year and construction will begin shortly after.
The expected completion date for construction is in the latter half of 2028, set to reopen in time for the 2029 spring festival season.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: First look: Austin Convention Center project renderings released
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