The Austin Convention Center redevelopment and expansion reached major milestones, and as of August 2026 is on track to open in early 2029. The Schematic Design phase was completed in October 2025. The Design Development phase was completed in spring 2026. The Construction Documents phase is nearly complete. Construction Administration will continue throughout the redevelopment and expansion.
Construction continues to move forward, with structural demolition and construction of the diaphragm wall—the first permanent structural element supporting the expanded six-block footprint—now complete.
Excavation is 93% complete as of August 2026 and will wrap up in the fall when an expected 940K cubic yards of soil will be removed—the equivalent of filling the Texas Capitol Dome from floor to ceiling 17 times. Three project construction cranes have been installed, and crews are pouring the foundation, which will continue throughout 2026. In addition, vertical steel installation began in September, one of the project’s most visible construction milestones.
Check out the street level progress in the time-lapse videos below.
Sustainability is a top priority, and the project continues to exceed expectations. The redevelopment is now on track to achieve an Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) 5-star rating and LEED Platinum certification. As part of the certification process, the work focused on salvaging, recycling, and repurposing materials from the original facility that would have gone to the landfill. This commitment started on day one, allowing us to exceed our 75% waste diversion goal by salvaging materials from the original structure—currently at a 85% diversion rate.
Some highlights:
These are just a few early steps toward meeting our ambitious sustainability goals—and we’re only getting started.
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