FORT WORTH, Texas — Last month, the highest structural steel beam for Phase One of the more than $700 million expansion to the Fort Worth Convention Center was placed in a “Topping Out” Ceremony.
The City of Fort Worth believes that this project will revitalize the convention center’s offerings for business events and more.
“This is a move that mirrors Fort Worth’s growth, Fort Worth’s change in stature as a major city in the United States [it was recently named the country’s 12th largest city in terms of population] and is another catalyst project that all great cities invest in in order to make themselves great places to live, work and visit,” Michael Crum, Director of Public Events at the City of Fort Worth, said.
Enhanced Meeting Spaces, Technology and Aesthetics
Phase One is expected to cost $95 million and add a new southeast entrance and modernized F&B facilities to the venue. Also, the phase will demolish the building’s annex and renovate its loading dock facilities, doubling their offerings to save events time and money.
Additionally, the adjacent Commerce Street will be straightened to make a site pad for a second convention center hotel and additional parking.
The City of Fort Worth anticipates Phase One to be 76,794 square feet in total and finish construction in 2026.
Phase Two is expected to cost $606 million and will demolish an arena at the north end of the facility, building a new ballroom, an exhibit hall and meeting rooms in its place. Also, the city will revitalize the legacy portion of the convention center, which has not seen substantial investments in more than 20 years.
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According to Crum, the project will also add technological enhancements, including charging stations, to the convention center, which recently underwent a Wi-Fi update, and modernize its aesthetic, with public art placed to convey the city’s flavor and the building’s envelope made transparent-enough to allow attendees to experience the city while remaining in the building.
Also, a modern tasting room will be added to showcase F&B offerings for prospective show organizers and flexible, convenient F&B offerings, such as grab-and-go options, will be introduced.
Crum believes that these updates will position the venue as a national meetings destination and allow it to host more association shows.
“To borrow a video game term, we’re going to level up,” Crum said. “Right now we’re a convention destination that is focused primarily on state association business … but as we modernize, as we get bigger, we’ll not only be able to increase our capacity to host that business — instead of being able to host one large association at a time, we’ll be able to host two in the future — we’ll be a larger player in the southwestern meetings market … and I think you will see us much more active in the national meetings market.”
The convention center renovation is happening in-coordination with other renovation projects in the area, including the proposed expansion of a nearby Omni Hotel, with pedestrian access being a major guiding force. The addition of high-speed rail is being discussed too.
“On one hand, it’s the expansion and renovation of the convention center. In a larger sense, this project is part of the remaking of downtown Fort Worth and is the product of Fort Worth’s growth and its ambition to stand on its own as one of the largest cities in the U.S.,” Crum explained.
Learn more about the Fort Worth Convention Center here.
