HOUSTON — Mayor John Whitmire announced the landmark project to revitalize the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) at a press conference hosted by Houston First Corporation on Thursday, March 6.
Team members from Hines, Gilbane Building Company (Gilbane), Flintco Construction, and Populous joined community members and city officials to commemorate the upcoming development.
“This once-in-a-lifetime project will transform downtown Houston, infusing it with new energy and vitality,” said Taha Vaid, Gilbane project manager. “I’m thrilled to collaborate with our incredible team invested in this community to create a project that will elevate our city to new heights.”
George R. Brown currently hosts more than 30 major conventions, with an additional 200 events annually. The new structure and surrounding spaces are expected to bring in millions of dollars in new revenue to the Houston economy.
“This is truly a generational opportunity for Houston, an investment that will ignite future development in the areas surrounding us from new hotels and retail to interactive entertainment and much, much more,” said Michael Heckman, Houston First President and CEO. “This is about seizing and creating Houston’s future.”
Project Breakdown
The project will be divided into phases, starting with an expansion of the current facility. The new 700,000 square-foot multi-use, multi-level convention center will include ballrooms, conference rooms, display halls, retail spaces, outdoor terraces, and a 100,000 square-foot plaza. The design uses similar tones, wood accents, and vegetation in the city’s bayou and prairie landscapes.
It will feature:
- Two exhibition halls, totaling 150,000 square feet
- A 50,000-square-foot multipurpose hall with doors that open to the new Central Plaza, offering unique flexible indoor/outdoor space
- Atrium flex hall, totaling 25,000 square feet
- 225,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space
- The largest ballroom in Texas, a 60,000-80,000-square-foot space boasting panoramic views of downtown
- Dedicated ground-level spaces for retail and restaurants
- A striking central atrium providing each level with natural light
“Gilbane and Flintco have the opportunity to shape the future of Houston,” said Mike Matula, Gilbane project director. “Beyond the revenue it will generate, this project will serve as a bridge, uniting diverse communities and fostering connections across our city. In just a few years, we will witness the emergence of a transformed Houston, one that is more inclusive, vibrant, and interconnected than ever before.”
GRB will remain open during construction and host conventions and other events. The project’s first phase is anticipated to be completed and operational in 2028.
Source: Gilbane
