The Fort Worth Convention Center — built when bell-bottoms, paisley prints and go-go boots were all the rage — completed the first phase of its upgrade, paving the way for an even more expansive second phase.
Elected and tourism officials, business leaders and construction partners gathered at the new southeast entrance to celebrate the first phase on Monday. Attendees got the first look at the new atrium lobby and retail coffee bar Beltbuckle Brew.
Totaling 76,794 square feet, the $95 million first phase of the project includes a new southeast entrance and terrace, upgraded food and beverage facilities, the addition of four new loading docks — bringing the total to 11 — and the realignment of Commerce Street to create a site for a future hotel and additional retail or restaurants.
“Fort Worth provides the Texas experience that meeting planners want, and the Phase I convention center expansion and modernization exceeds those expectations,” Mayor Mattie Parker said. “This milestone, along with Phase II construction, will increase capacity to host conferences from across the nation, bolstering our already impressive convention and tourism industry.”
The first phase of construction was funded by a combination of $52 million in federal pandemic-era stimulus money and $43 million in debt. Revenue from the new tax rate from the city’s hotel tax, approved by the voters in May 2024, will repay that debt as well as fund the second phase.
Fort Worth voters approved a 2-percentage point increase in the tax, to 17%. Houston and Austin each have 17% hotel occupancy tax rates. Dallas’ rate is 15%.
Hotel occupancy tax — what hotel guests pay when they book rooms — is the primary source of revenue for the cultural and tourism fund. The approval of the additional hotel tax also sets the city up to pay for future tourism-related projects, including incentives for a new hotel on Commerce Street and funding improvements to the Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Tourism is a $3.5 billion industry for Fort Worth and one of its largest employers with more than 30,000 jobs, according to Visit Fort Worth. In 2024, the city reported 11.5 million visitors, generating $251 million in state and local taxes.
Phase I of the convention center upgrades emphasizes pedestrian access and improving the area’s walkability and connection to the surrounding area, which includes the Water Gardens, Trinity Metro Central Station, the new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus and surrounding hotels.
“This is only the first step in a bolder future for Fort Worth as a convention destination,” said Mike Crum, public events director for the city.
The expansion is taking place in two phases and the facility is remaining operational during both. Crum said renderings of the next phase will be shared within the next few months.
Phase II of renovations is expected to begin in late 2026 and run through early 2030. It includes demolition of the 1968 arena, often called the “flying saucer,” at the northern end of the building.
After the convention center opened in 1968 as the Tarrant County Convention Center, it hosted some of the top bands of the era, including the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Guess Who, Grand Funk Railroad, Bob Dylan (whose “Before the Flood” album was recorded there), Elvis Presley, Metallica, B.B. King and U2 (who recorded part of their “Rattle and Hum” film there) and Three Dog Night.
The expanded convention center will include new exhibit halls, a second ballroom and modern meeting rooms.
The cost for the second phase is expected to be $60 million for design and preconstruction and $546 million for construction.
Broaddus & Associates is serving as project manager in partnership with Elements of Architecture. Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, a global architectural design firm, teamed with Bennett Partners on design and construction administration services. AECOM Hunt, Byrne Construction Services and E.J. Smith Construction created a joint venture to serve as construction manager at risk for the project.
“Given the success of the team in terms of delivering Phase I ahead of time and on budget, yes, we intend to keep the team together,” Crum said.
Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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