Austin’s Convention Center is getting rebuilt and rethought.
A $1.6 billion redevelopment is underway, with the venue closed since April 2025 and set to reopen in 2029 as the world’s first zero-carbon certified convention center. Sustainability is woven into every decision, from energy systems to building materials, with a clear goal: lower impact without compromising performance.
But this isn’t only about infrastructure. Austin is putting its personality front and center, with a record $17.7 million investment in public art. Expect installations, gathering spaces, and design details that reflect the city’s creative pulse, turning the building into something closer to a working gallery than a traditional convention hall.
The expansion will increase rentable space from 365,000 to 620,000 sf, giving planners more flexibility across event types. Outside, 75,000 sf of terraces and plazas will blur the line between indoor and outdoor, while the reopening of Third Street improves walkability and connectivity downtown.
In the meantime, Austin is still hosting events using a campus approach, including the Palmer Events Center and other nearby venues. Bookings for 2029 and beyond are already underway.
Trask House is Back
A major milestone in the Austin Convention Center’s redevelopment was marked with the return of the historic Trask House & Kitchen to its original home on Neches Street. Moved years ago to accommodate the construction of the existing convention center, the Trask House is part of the City’s broader vision to reconnect Austin’s past with its future.
The event brought together city leadership and preservation experts who emphasized the importance of protecting cultural landmarks while advancing a vibrant, walkable downtown district. Once restoration is complete, the Trask House will serve as a unique civic and cultural destination within the reimagined convention center corridor.
“When complete, the convention center redevelopment and expansion project is estimated to add over $285 million to the Austin economy, for a total of over $750 million in economic impact annually,” said Mayor Kirk Watson during the ceremony.
The Trask House is one of downtown Austin’s few remaining 19th-century residences, originally associated with early Austin settler Frances Trask and constructed in 1855.
More information: austinconventioncenter.com.
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