AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Convention Center is preparing for its expansion project, which will begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. The $1.6 billion project is expected to double the size of rentable space with the addition of 709,000 net square feet in total.
Plans for the facility call for a vertical design, which will accommodate retail on the ground floor, with exhibition space below. The project will also transform the convention center and its immediate surroundings into a more community-oriented space where attendees and residents can enjoy the city’s offerings.
“The current convention center suffers from a lack of adequate meeting space and exhibit and ballroom space compared to its peers,” the The Austin Convention Center Department said in a statement. “The expansion of the existing center is essential to meet current and future demand, as well as the economic benefits associated with hosting events at the Austin Convention Center. To minimize the impact on patrons and the community, a single-phase construction concept and approach model will be utilized for the construction project. By utilizing a vertical approach to deliver a larger, more efficient facility, the goal of the Austin Convention Center redevelopment is to transform the southeast corner of downtown into a community-centric destination for trade show attendees and the community.”
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The expansion will be led by the same group that led the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building Development. Architectural features will include cutting-edge technology, green spaces and more outdoor event spaces as the Austin Convention Center joins the ranks of the “fifth generation of convention centers.”
The project will be funded by revenue from the Austin Convention Center and the city’s share of the hotel occupancy tax that will be allocated to the facility. According to Visit Austin, the convention center expansion is expected to attract more hotels to the city, increasing its capacity to host large events at the same time. The project is expected to generate an additional $282 million in economic impact.
The first event to be held in the completed facility will be South by Southwest (SXSW), an event dedicated to technology, music, education, film and culture. The annual nine-day event includes conferences, film and television screenings, music and comedy festivals, exhibitions and awards.
The expansion project also comes as Austin expands its airport and plans to develop a light rail system to improve public transportation.