Austin Convention Center redevelopment spurs new downtown hotel partnership

Three downtown Austin hotels are forming a new partnership to keep business flowing during the upcoming redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center.

Hotel Van Zandt, Fairmont Austin and Hilton Austin have launched Austin’s Red River Collection, a coalition intended to establish a smoother booking experience while the Austin Convention Center remains closed for redevelopment between 2025 and 2029.

During the estimated $1.6 billion transformation, the Austin Convention Center Department and the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau have a plan to work cooperatively with the business community. It is an effort to ensure the city will maintain its ability to accommodate major gatherings and economic drivers, like the annual South by Southwest festival, bound to experience significant disruption due to the redevelopment process.

The plan is aimed at providing event coordinators with an easy way to book more than 245,000 square feet of customizable event space and more than 2,168 hotel rooms, in addition to onsite restaurants and venues for events, across all three properties that have a long track record of participating in multisite, mass gatherings like SXSW.

The idea is that conference organizers could book hotel rooms at the Fairmont, set up a meeting or event at the Hilton, and then coordinate a dining and live music experience at the Hotel Van Zandt.

“Austin’s Red River Collection is a response to the challenges our city will face during the Convention Center redevelopment and is a testament to our community-focused commitment to elevating the group travel landscape,” stated Chris Guse, general manager at Hotel Van Zandt.

Hotel Van Zandt is owned by the Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group. The Fairmont belongs to San Diego-based Manchester Financial Group and Los Angeles-based Colony Capital. The Hilton is operated by Austin Convention Enterprises Inc., which operates the facility and the neighboring convention center set to be redeveloped on behalf of its owner, the city of Austin.

The Van Zandt offers 13,000 square feet of meeting space with 11 dedicated meeting rooms and 13,000 square feet of additional event spaces with indoor-outdoor options. The Hilton Austin has more than 95,000 square feet of flexible meeting space between two floors including 41 breakout rooms and two ballrooms. And the Fairmont, the largest of three, offers 140,000 square feet of event space. That includes more than 4,500 square feet of outdoor event space and 27 breakout rooms.

“Groups can truly benefit from the shared spirit of hospitality complemented by the distinct services and amenities that our hotels present to guests from around the country. Customizable opportunities between the three properties are endless,” stated Nenad Praporski, the general manager of Fairmont Austin.

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Mike Christen / ABJ

What to expect from the new Austin Convention Center

When completed, the redeveloped facility is anticipated to have a significant economic impact on the city with the expectation that it will increase the facility's revenue from $468 million to more than $750 million, according to a 2020 study conducted by the hospitality-focused consulting firm HVS.

Project Control of Texas Inc. will manage the construction of the new convention center through a $30 million contract. JE Dunn Construction Co. and Turner Construction Co. have been contracted for $1.2 billion for pre-construction and construction services while the Seattle firm LMN Architects LLP and Austin’s Page Southerland Page Inc. to engineer and design the new facility through a $65 million agreement.

The expansion is also anticipated to create 1,622 jobs tied to the facility.

It currently hosts more than 300,000 annual  visitors.

Much of the new center will be constructed up to 65 feet below street level. It will nearly double the existing convention center’s size on its six-block footprint with 360,000 square feet of exhibit space, 180,000 of meeting space and 184,000 of ballroom or flex hall space. The project will also dedicate 11,831 square feet to a local art gallery and 58,193 square feet for shops and dining options facing Trinity Street.

A set of towers rising above the facility is also intended to be constructed through a public-private partnership with the city. The city has begun working with developers and other interested parties in preparation for that portion of the redevelopment.