Convention Center Expansion Updates - Page 25

The ATX · #1 Posted **Sep 12, 2024, 9:24 PM**

The site plan for Demo of the current 14 acre CC site was filed today. This site plan includes excavation. A second site plan will be filed for the new CC.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=198372

randalls · #2 Posted **Sep 13, 2024, 3:33 PM**

What was their proposed timeline to begin demo on the convention center?

The ATX · #3 Posted **Sep 13, 2024, 3:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by randalls

What was their proposed timeline to begin demo on the convention center?

The permits don't have that info yet, but it's supposedly set to start immediately after SWSX 2025.

resansom · #4 Posted **Sep 13, 2024, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

The site plan for Demo of the current 14 acre CC site was filed today. This site plan includes excavation. A second site plan will be filed for the new CC.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=198372

I must have missed the announcement - so they are completely re-building the CC? Was the new design ever posted?

jalapenokettlechips · #5 Posted **Oct 2, 2024, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by resansom

I must have missed the announcement - so they are completely re-building the CC? Was the new design ever posted?

This is not a final plan (released in 2021) but its the current vision as far as I know.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/xv1q576...ng_Studies.pdf

H2O · #6 Posted **Oct 4, 2024, 1:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalapenokettlechips

This is not a final plan (released in 2021) but its the current vision as far as I know.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/xv1q576...ng_Studies.pdf

Except that they are no longer doing it in phases, keeping parts of the facility open while they rebuild. That makes me think the overall plan will be different. They must have developed a plan that would be more efficient to completely demolish and rebuild than try to phase it.

We vs us · #7 Posted **Oct 18, 2024, 5:20 PM**

They keep not doing their due diligence on the Hilton contract and investment structure, and its frankly embarrassing. Even more so because the Hilton is managed by the ACE board, kissing cousins to the CC management. If you'll remember, there was a similar hold up in the process a couple of years ago. They had to restructure the Hilton debt so that losing the CC didn't trigger a default. But -- they had to actually DISCOVER that along the way. They had to actually TRIP over it, rather than engage with their stakeholders, including the ones that are city owned.

Gah. It's just so frustrating.

Though, I will say it's illuminating that that noncompete is there. First, all told it's a 50 (!!) year blackout period, which makes me wonder if it coincides with the date the Hilton's debt will be retired. Either way it plainly underestimated the level of success the city would see when it was built back in 2004 or whenever. So bully for us. But also holy cripes, that's a clause that needs to be renegotiated.

I'm interested now to see if the Western Parcels -- which were hot to trot for office development during COVID, but are now super quiet -- will pivot into hospitality uses. If the city can't build a new hotel, it's up to the private markets, and those blocks are still prime spots.

gillynova · #8 Posted **Oct 24, 2024, 8:02 PM**

drummer · #9 Posted **Oct 25, 2024, 6:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillynova

It looks so squat and incomplete from this angle.

H2O · #10 Posted **Feb 22, 2025, 8:52 PM**

AIA Austin Urban Design Committee is hosting The New Austin Convention Center: UncoventionalATX a special presentation and panel discussion unveiling the design for the new convention center on Wednesday Feb 26, 2025 11:30 - 1:30 at the Joe C Thompson Conference Center at UT.

https://calendar.aiaaustin.org/event...ention-center/

Speculator · #11 Posted **Feb 24, 2025, 3:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O

AIA Austin Urban Design Committee is hosting The New Austin Convention Center: UncoventionalATX a special presentation and panel discussion unveiling the design for the new convention center on Wednesday Feb 26, 2025 11:30 - 1:30 at the Joe C Thompson Conference Center at UT.

https://calendar.aiaaustin.org/event...ention-center/

Austin has a chance to build something special. I've searched the LMN and Page sites and don't see anything to write home about. I hope the city doesn't whiff on this one. Anyone seen any leaked renderings?

Urbannizer · #12 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 6:00 PM**

Austin Convention Center Unveils First Look at Unconventional ATX

Quote:

The Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) has released the first renderings of the new Austin Convention Center, marking a major milestone in the City’s downtown transformation. Designed by LMN/Page, a joint venture, this cutting-edge facility will seamlessly integrate innovative architecture, sustainability, and public art to create a world-class event space in the heart of Austin.

The new, larger Austin Convention Center will nearly double the rentable square footage of the existing facility, growing from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet of rentable space. The $1.6 billion project, known as Unconventional ATX, will be funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax and Convention Center revenues.

chinchaaa · #13 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 9:05 PM**

a little uninspiring, but I do love the wood accents

Speculator · #14 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 9:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

a little uninspiring, but I do love the wood accents

I suppose it's ok. They saved room for expansion to the SE. The look from the South and East is above average, from the West is a bust. Hopefully the walls seen in the east view aren't the rust material used on city hall.

It's interesting how this was designed with the phasing in mind.

The have the blue line in one of the renderings.

Hopefully they can get it built in time. When this and thee new airport opens the city will be in decent shape.

We vs us · #15 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 9:14 PM**

This is all catnip. I need to see what the underground exhibit halls look like.

gillynova · #16 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 9:15 PM**

Looks way better than it's current state and it will DEFINITELY help activate the surrounding area

Especially being able to walk down to the creek and walk under towards Waterline instead of waiting for the cross walk. SHEESH

They could honestly add another story with solar panels on top or something though

--

Demo/Construction - April 2025
Completion - Fall 2028
Open - Spring 2029 (SXSW)

Riverranchdrone · #17 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 10:26 PM**

I like it. To me it has a very San Antonio/ Texmex/ Southwest feel. Looks smaller than the current one.

Speculator · #18 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 10:29 PM**

The website says that it is opening up the street grid. It seems like 3rd will be sort of a pedestrian walk, are they doing anything else? Anyone know?

ATX2030 · #19 Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 10:40 PM**

What's with the aircraft hanger/barn looking building? Looks cheap and out of place.

ILUVSAT · #20 Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 6:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

Looks smaller than the current one.

Most of it is underground, if I'm not mistaken.

For $1.6 Billion - I would have expected something a little more aesthetically pleasing. At least with a little more "WOW" factor to it. It's not horrible. But, it's not good either. I agree - It looks like a large suburban High School.