Austin convention center revamp revealed
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A rendering from Cesar Chavez Street. Image: Courtesy of Austin Convention Center Department and LMN/Page
The Austin Convention Center, due to close in April for a major rebuild, will reopen in spring 2029, per a presentation this week to Austin council members.
Why it matters: Conventions are a key part of the Austin economy — along with gatherings ranging from bachelorette parties to music festivals — and city officials say a revamped convention center is key to capturing business.
By the numbers: Austin is the 11th-largest city in the U.S. but has the 66th-largest convention center. After the reconstruction, it will be the 35th-largest, Katy Zamesnik, assistant director of the convention center, told the city council.
- The project will expand Austin's convention space from 365,000 square feet to about 620,000 square feet.
The bottom line: The $1.6 billion project, known as Unconventional ATX, will be paid for by hotel occupancy tax and convention center revenues.