Now under construction, the new and larger Austin Convention Center will significantly increase the rentable square footage of the original facility from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet of rentable space. The $1.6 billion project, known as UnconventionalATX, will be funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax and Convention Center revenues. The new Austin Convention Center project is a major step forward for the city’s urban environment and quality of life. It is slated to open in late 2028, so here are 10 reasons why meeting planners and event organizers should book it now:
- It will offer almost twice as much space, from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet.
- It is already destined to be the world’s first zero-carbon and certified Convention Center by reusing 80–90% of materials from the original building.
- It has added 1,600 new jobs to the community that will remain
- It will be connected to a pedestrian-friendly convention center campus that reconnects East and West Austin by eliminating barriers, and restoring 2nd and 3rd Streets with pedestrian pathways and street-level activity.
- It will revitalize the southeast part of downtown Austin to become a more active destination, in combination with other exciting projects like Palm Park, Cap and Stitch, and Waterloo Greenway.
- It will build on a people-first strategy that prioritizes walkability, shaded areas, and active transportation, in line with Austin City Council’s resolution to reduce car dependency and enhance the urban experience.
- It will integrate seamlessly with Project Connect, bike lanes, and pedestrian networks, making it easier for people to move throughout the city.
- It will be in close proximity to 14,000 hotel rooms, all no more than a one-mile walk from the new center. (Grand total of downtown rooms: 15,000. In the surrounding area: 50,000.)
- It will have the new and improved Austin-Bergstrom International Airport just waiting to welcome your group members.
- And, it will have a totally-dedicated convention center staff and DMO (Visit Austin) just waiting to make it all happen for your group and its objectives.
Be sure to read The New Austin Convention Center/A Sense of Space, Place & Purpose cover story, F&D’s SuperBook 2025 issue to be published this month, September 2025, for the whole story and why it matters to meeting planners and event organizers.
