Convention Center Expansion Updates - Page 29

Urbannizer · #**561** 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 · #**562** Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 9:05 PM**

a little uninspiring, but I do love the wood accents

We vs us · #**563** Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 9:14 PM**

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

Speculator · #**564** 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.

gillynova · #**565** 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 · #**566** 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 · #**567** 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 · #**568** Posted **Feb 25, 2025, 10:40 PM**

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

davidtexan · #**569** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 1:43 AM**

Ehhh seems like a swing and a miss. Looks more like a community college athletics facility than a flagship downtown convention center. I was also hoping for something taller.

lonewolf · #**570** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 2:06 AM**

a bit more height and rooftop amenities would've been nice. a more significant plaza.

the aesthetic in general is nice.

it's fine.

looks fairly adaptable which will probably be the most significant thing.

the ability to tie into surrounding blocks and expand will make or break

SproutingTowers · #**571** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 2:09 AM**

Hopefully at SXSW they will have an exhibit showing more about the new convention center design and layout.

the Genral · #**572** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 2:30 AM**

There's an HEB vibe to the design. Not saying that's a good or bad thing, just saying that slapping an HEB sign on it wouldn't necessarily look out of place.

ATX2030 · #**573** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 2:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidtexan

Ehhh seems like a swing and a miss. Looks more like a community college athletics facility than a flagship downtown convention center. I was also hoping for something taller.

That's it. It reminds me of a new build high school you would find in Plano or Frisco in the DFW Metroplex.

IluvATX · #**574** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 4:35 AM**

This thing looks like a barn attached to an airport terminal. iMO it looks terrible.

ILUVSAT · #**575** 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.

Speculator · #**576** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 2:28 PM**

The 2nd and Trinity view is concerning. This view from the North is much better.

https://atxtoday.6amcity.com/city/ne...vention-center

Jdawgboy · #**577** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 3:25 PM**

I thought that previous articles mentioned it would have over 700k sq feet? As long as they are able to expand....

ahealy · #**578** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 4:26 PM**

Super meh and big HEB vibes. If the renders look this boring I can't imagine how bad it'll be irl.

resansom · #**579** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 5:25 PM**

More than anything it looks like an awful waste of roof real estate. Wasn't there an earlier design that showed trees and grass and park-like amenities on the roof of the CC? Also, that barn-like roof is going to look really bad in a very short amount of time. Definitely looks like a gentrified HEB...

ATX2030 · #**580** Posted **Feb 26, 2025, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by resansom

More than anything it looks like an awful waste of roof real estate. Wasn't there an earlier design that showed trees and grass and park-like amenities on the roof of the CC? Also, that barn-like roof is going to look really bad in a very short amount of time. Definitely looks like a gentrified HEB...

I thought that as well. Wasn't there going to be a "living" roof? It's hard to imagine that's all we get for 1.6 billion. I get that there will be a lot of excavation and that adds to cost but.....Something isn't adding up! Is this the final design? At least get rid of the barn roof.