FORT WORTH, TEXAS — A 20-year planned expansion of the Fort Worth
Convention Center [1] is finally underway. In August, fencing will go up
to signal the beginning of construction on Phase 1 of the project, which
will deliver new state-of-the-art food & beverage facilities, demolition
of a 1983 annex, increasing the center’s loading docks from 7 to 11, and
realignment of Commerce Street to create a site pad for a future
convention hotel. This $95 million first phase is expected to be
completed in early 2026. The center will remain operational throughout
the project.
“According to the State of Texas, Fort Worth’s visitor economy generates
over $3 billion annually and employs more than 30,000 of our residents,”
said Mike Crum, director of Public Events for the City of Fort Worth.
“This expansion will allow us to deliver an even more delightful
experience to our guests and remain competitive with other Texas
cities.”
Across the street from the center, Texas A&M University System broke
ground in June on its new Fort Worth campus, which will include an
innovation and research facility, a law and education building and a
gateway office building. It is expected to cost $340 million and be
complete by October 2025.
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel, 26 steps from the convention center with 618
guest rooms also have plans for a new $200 million adjacent structure
with an additional 400 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of new meeting
space. The opening is anticipated in 2026.
“Our development teams are very cognizant of the amount of construction
that will be happening concurrently in this area of downtown and are in
communication with each other, and will remain in communication with
clients and community stakeholders who may be impacted,” Crum said.
Go here [2] to sign up for Convention Center Expansion alerts and here
[3] to see a video about these three projects in downtown Fort Worth.
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About the Fort Worth Convention Center & Expansion Partners
Since 1968, the Fort Worth Convention Center & Arena has hosted
thousands of major national and international events including sports,
concerts, political rallies, conventions, and trade shows. Owned and
operated by the City of Fort Worth, the Convention Center was
significantly expanded in 2003. With a total meeting space of almost
400,000 square feet, it is the premier event space in downtown Fort
Worth. Staff, floor plans, virtual tour, and calendar of events are at
https://www.fortworth.com/
Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, Inc. (TVS), [4] a global
architectural design firm is teaming up with local firm Bennett Partners
[5], to deliver design and construction administration services for the
first phase. AECOM Hunt, Byrne, and EJ Smith Construction Firms are serving
as Construction Manager At Risk based on their proven expertise and deep
roots in the local community.
