(A first look at the future of downtown Austin. The reimagined Austin Convention Center will anchor a walkable, culturally rich district with 620,000 square feet of event space and outdoor gathering areas linked to the Waterloo Greenway. Rendering courtesy of the Austin Convention Center.)
Project includes 620,000 square feet of event space and aims to be world’s first Zero Carbon Certified convention center
by Mark Hebert, Exhibit City News, with Austin Convention Center press materials
Downtown Austin is about to undergo a major transformation. The city’s long-awaited redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center is moving forward, with construction officially set to begin in April 2025. The $1.6 billion project will expand the facility’s rentable event space to 620,000 square feet while reshaping the surrounding district into a more walkable, connected, and sustainable destination.
“The redevelopment of the Convention Center will create a vital downtown amenity and urban connector,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “With a design that emphasizes street-level openness and accessibility, vibrant plazas, and pedestrian-friendly pathways, this transformation will enhance connectivity and inclusivity, creating a more accessible and engaging downtown experience for residents and visitors.”
New renderings of the facility show an expansive, modern design that includes open-air terraces, outdoor event spaces, and flexible gathering areas that blur the line between indoor and outdoor. It’s all part of a broader initiative called “Unconventionally ATX,” aimed at preserving the city’s creative identity while building for the future.
Sustainability is central to the plan. The center is designed to run on 100% renewable energy and use low-carbon materials, including salvaged components and mass timber roof structures. The city is aiming for ILFI Zero Carbon certification, which would make the Austin Convention Center the first Zero Carbon Certified convention center in the world.
In a city known for its creative spirit, the project also includes a record $17.7 million investment in public art, weaving local culture into the new space.
The redevelopment is being led by Project Control, working with Square One and Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB). The team brings extensive experience in large-scale civic developments, including convention centers in San Antonio and Dallas.
The last events in the current facility will wrap up in March 2025. After that, construction begins, and Austin steps into its next chapter—unconventional, sustainable, and distinctly its own.
