The city of Austin, Texas, is about to see a change in its roofs. On February 25, the Department of the Austin Congress Center (ACCD) unveiled the first rendering of the New Austin Convention Center, nicknamed “Unconventional ATX”. The $ 1.6 billion project is expected to redefine the landscape of the city’s event with more space, an innovative design and a commitment to sustainability.
The new installation of the city center will almost double the laudable space of the existing congress center, by exceeding it from 365,000 to 620,000 square feet. Funded by the income from the center of the hotel occupation and the convention, the project will start demolition and construction after the location is closed in April. The center should be completed at the end of 2028 and will reopen in early 2029 in time for the spring festivals season.
“The new Austin Congress Center is more than a place – this is a benchmark that reflects the daring and creative spirit of our city,” said ACD director Trisha Tatro. “With its dynamic design, improved community access and commitment to sustainability, this installation will define a new reference for congress areas while strengthening Austin’s reputation as a leading global destination.”
Architectural and sustainable design
Designed by a joint venture of LMN and page architects, the main unconventional ATX characteristics include:
- 550,000 square feet of interior space
- 70,000 square feet of outdoor space
- Outdoor terraces and public places
- Seamless connections inside the interior
- A modern facade with radical roof structures
- Transparent conceptions maximizing natural light
The new installation should also become the leading center of certified zero carbon agreement in the world, as recognized by the International Living Futures Institute, helping to strengthen the image of Austin as a leader in sustainable urban development while establishing a new standard for the industry of the convention.
Allowing the City to host larger and multiple events at the same time, the enlarged center will also allow Austin to compete internationally while creating a space that serves both visitors and residents, according to the president and chief executive officer of Austin, Tom Noonan.
“This project represents a pivotal investment in the future of Austin as a high -level agreement and tourist destination, and we are impatient to welcome the world to discover everything that our incredible city has to offer.”
Focus on culture and community
Beyond its role of higher quality place for commercial events of all types and sizes, the new and larger congress center will also serve as a cultural hub for the progressive city of Texas, promoting its status as a global destination of arts and culture. With an investment of $ 17.7 million in public art, the most important in the history of the city, the unconventional ATX will present dynamic facilities, interactive exhibitions and spaces focused on artists celebrating the diversity of the creative community of Austin.
“The redevelopment of the Austin Congress Center reflects our fundamental values of the community, inclusiveness and local empowerment,” said Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, member of the Austin Municipal Council representing the District 9. “It is not only a building; It is an asset for our community which will help achieve the mobility objectives of our city and to promote economic opportunities for local sellers. This investment helps to build a future where every Austinite thrives. »»
In addition to promoting a dynamic experience for the participants in the event, the project also favors the improvement of connectivity with the surrounding areas, in particular the Waterloo Greenway, Palm District and Project Connect initiatives. The plans include the reopening of Third Street for multimodal traffic and the transformation of second street into a corridor adapted to pedestrians, the improvement of public access and the support of the city’s mobility objectives, according to city officials.
“The redevelopment of the Congress Center will create vital equipment and an urban connector in the city center,” said the mayor of Austin, Kirk Watson. “With a design that emphasizes opening and accessibility at the street level, dynamic public places and suitable tracks for pedestrians, this transformation will improve connectivity and inclusiveness, creating a more accessible and more engaging downtown experience for residents and visitors.”
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