Newly published renderings show the impending transformation of the Austin Convention Center

A design for the expansion and renovation of the Austin Convention Center was announced on Tuesday.

The city administration has been in progress for years and was part of an almost ten -year study to expand the congress center in order to become a more attractive space for large events and conferences. Architects of LMN Architects and Page Southerland Page presented the new design to the city council of Austin during a working session.

Today the center is the 61st largest in the country, which makes officials so difficult to compete with other big cities. After the renovation, Austin's congress center is projected to be the 35th largest.

Department of the Austin Convention Center and LMN/side

This rendering shows the East view of the congress center of the Red River Street and the Second Street and the Waterloo Greenway. The architects hope that the redesign will connect the center with other parts of the city center and in the nearby districts.

The 1.6 billion dollar project is paid by funds from the Hotel -Econancy tax and congress center and enables the city to organize larger events and several events at the same time. The amount of rentable space will double to 620,000 square meters, with space added for a further 140,000 square foot.

The Austin Convention Center was already in the south of the Southwest Festival in March. The event of last year brought a more than 377 million US dollars And almost 48,000 people, the Austin Monitor reported.

In a statement, Mayor Kirk Watson said that the transformation of the Austin Convention Center “improves connectivity and inclusivity and creates a more accessible and more committed experience in the city center for residents and visitors”.

As soon as the Austin Convention Center has been completed, it will be the first Zero Carbon Certified Convention Center in the world. The multi-storey room also includes public art, several meeting rooms, ball rooms and a multi-purpose outdoor area for live music and community events.

The north side of the congress center can be seen in this rendering on the Third Street and the North Event Plaza. People gather at tables with large panels with which the current conferences or events can take place. — This rendering shows the north side of the building via the Third Street and the North Event Plaza. The new design has large outdoor areas in which people can gather.

It will also be on foot in Rainey Street, the Red River Cultural District, the Sixth Street and Waterloo Greenway on foot and have access to public transit and cycle paths.

The center will be closed in April before demolition. The construction is expected to continue until 2028 and open in good time for the Spring Festival season 2029.

This rendering shows the entrance to the congress center in the Second Street and the Trinity Street. It has a large wooden cover with open space underneath. The wooden covering is as large as the brick walls next to it. — The redesign of the Austin Convention Center will take up 365,000 square meters to 620,000 square meters of rentable space. This rendering shows the entrance in the Second Street and Trinity Street.

Trisha Tatro, director of the Austin Convention Center department, said that the venue will be a symbol that reflects the courageous and creative spirit of the city.

“With its dynamic design, increased access to the community and the commitment to sustainability, this facility will set a new benchmark for congress rooms and at the same time strengthen Austin's reputation as a first -class global goal,” said Tatro in a written explanation.