**$1.6B Austin Convention Center Expansion Underway**
Out with the old, in with the new. The aging Austin Convention Center has officially closed its doors as construction begins on a brand-new facility. Most of the old structure will be demolished to make way for a $1.6 billion expansion project, which is expected to be completed in time for the 2029 spring festival season.
According to Community Impact, the new convention center will boast 620,000 square feet of rentable space — an increase of nearly 70%. Key features of the redevelopment include a larger below-ground exhibition hall, new public gathering areas, improved pedestrian access, and commercial spaces at street level. The design also includes space for a potential future expansion of up to an additional 140,000 square feet.
Funded entirely through hotel tax revenue collected by the City of Austin, the project aims to significantly boost the local economy. It is projected to generate $750 million in annual economic impact, $12 million in annual civic tax revenue, and approximately 1,600 new local jobs.
The revamped convention center is poised to be a major economic engine and a landmark destination for Austin in the coming years.
