We’re excited to bring you the inaugural edition of the Austin Convention Center’s newsletter for Unconventional ATX, the name of our redevelopment project. We want to keep you informed and inspired throughout our journey of transformation.
As we embark on a $1.6 billion redevelopment project set to redefine the future of Austin’s premier event destination, this newsletter will serve as your go-to source for updates, milestones, behind-the-scenes stories, and community highlights. From groundbreaking innovations to honoring the legacy of our iconic facility, Unconventional ATX captures the spirit of progress that defines our city.
Whether you’re a client, neighbor, partner, or just curious about what’s ahead, we invite you to follow along as we build a space that reflects the vibrant, unconventional energy of Austin. Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter.
Stay tuned—big things are on the horizon!
Since its opening in 1992, the Austin Convention Center has been at the heart of a city that’s anything but conventional. Austin, one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., is known for blending innovation with tradition, artsy with outdoorsy, and tech with tacos. It’s a place where people want to live—and where visitors come to experience the unique charm of the Texas capital.
The Convention Center was built to reflect Austin’s growing status as a hub for business, culture, and entertainment. Its doors opened to host events that connected people from across the globe while showcasing Austin’s vibrant energy. From hosting renowned festivals like South by Southwest to welcoming major industry conventions, it quickly became a cornerstone of downtown Austin.
In 2002, the facility expanded with the opening of the stunning Solar Atrium, incorporating natural light and sustainable design into its architecture. This addition reflected Austin’s commitment to forward-thinking development while staying rooted in the city’s distinct aesthetic.
Over the decades, the Convention Center has not only kept pace with Austin’s growth but also played a vital role in it. From welcoming tech innovators to creating spaces for cultural celebrations, it’s been a place where ideas spark, businesses thrive, and memories are made.
As we prepare for the next chapter—a transformative redevelopment—we honor the legacy of the last three decades while looking forward to what’s ahead. This evolution ensures the Austin Convention Center will continue to serve as a beacon for connection and innovation in one of the nation’s most dynamic cities.
Austin welcomes more than 23 million visitors annually, generating $10.2 billion in economic impact. Unsurprisingly, people want to experience the Live Music Capital of the World and hold their conventions here. However, the current Convention Center’s limited space has forced us to turn away numerous large-scale events that a city of Austin’s size should be able to host.
The need for redevelopment has been studied and debated for nearly a decade. The City and community have engaged in extensive deliberation, supported by numerous studies, a Council-appointed task force, and an updated Master Plan with a comprehensive economic impact report. These efforts consistently confirmed that redeveloping the Convention Center on its current site is both viable and essential.
This redevelopment promises to deliver substantial economic benefits, from increased tax revenues to new job opportunities, while securing Austin’s place as a premier destination for large-scale events. With careful planning and community input, we’re building a Convention Center that will meet the demands of our growing city and benefit Austin for decades to come.
Our project teams are making great strides and staying on track! Design work is progressing rapidly and will wrap up in early 2025. In April 2025, we’ll officially close the current Convention Center to kick off construction of a bold new facility that reflects Austin’s vibrant spirit and future growth.
Mark your calendars: the new Austin Convention Center is set to open its doors just in time to host the Spring festival season in 2029. This transformation will position Austin as a premier destination for world-class events, and we can’t wait to show you what’s coming next.
The Austin Convention Center is making history with an unprecedented $17.7 million investment in public art for its redevelopment project. This initiative not only significantly enhances the City of Austin’s existing $22 million public art portfolio but also sets a new standard as the first city project to include artists from the very beginning of the design process.
Through the Art In Public Places (AIPP) program, 10 talented local artists will collaborate closely with architects and construction teams to seamlessly integrate art into the center’s design. These installations will celebrate Austin’s cultural identity, offering visitors an immersive and uniquely Austin experience. The selected artists will be announced in early 2025, with additional opportunities for public art expected to follow.
This initiative reflects the Convention Center’s commitment to supporting local creatives and elevating Austin as a vibrant hub for art and innovation. Future newsletters will spotlight the selected artists and their stories—we can’t wait to share their vision with you.
Redeveloping the Austin Convention Center takes a village, and every partner plays a crucial role. We’ll feature a partner in each of our newsletters, starting with our design team.
The LMN / Page Joint Venture team combines the talents of two distinguished firms, bringing together architects, interior designers, and urban designers committed to making the Austin Convention Center redevelopment a reality. This partnership merges LMN’s industry-leading expertise in convention center design with Page’s deep understanding of Austin’s unique character and spirit.
With more than 40 years of experience, LMN has completed more than 70 convention center projects across North America. Page, an Austin-based multidisciplinary firm, has significantly shaped the city’s downtown through impactful designs that reflect Austin’s vibrant culture. Together, LMN and Page share a passion for community, vibrant urban spaces, and sustainable design.
This redevelopment is a chance to create a transformational civic space that enhances Austin’s urban core. The new Austin Convention Center will not only become a cultural icon for the city but also a premier destination for the global convention industry. LMN and Page are excited to collaborate with the City of Austin on this remarkable project, creating a dynamic landmark that honors the city’s past while inspiring its future.
The excitement is building as we kick off the Austin Convention Center redevelopment, and we can’t wait to bring you along on this incredible journey. We’d love to hear your thoughts—take our survey and share your feedback with us.
Thank you for being a part of this transformative project!
Reimagining the Austin Convention Center of the future.
