Fort Worth Convention Center Design Will Attract Large Events to Town

The $606 Million Phase 2 Expansion Will Transform Downtown in the Coming Years

The Fort Worth Convention Center design
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The Fort Worth Convention Center design
The transparent front elevation of the four story Fort Worth Convention Center
The West Concourse inside the new Fort Worth Convention Center
The view from Houston Street
An aerial south facing view of the Fort Worth Convention Center, with completion by 2030
The Ballroom design inside the new Convention Center

The $606 million Phase 2 expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center today revealed what a massive upgrade Fort Worth has in store. The new design takes the place of the original 1968 arena. Ours will be a dramatic, flexible, and modern Convention Center when the dust settles. They say it reflects contemporary architecture while staying true to Fort Worth’s heritage. Check out the new renderings and see what’s to come.

Still a few years until completion, the city says, “With Dickies Arena now the premier arena for Fort Worth, the 1968 downtown convention center arena will be demolished in early 2027 for the new building. Mobilization for demolition will begin in summer 2026, with the final event in the arena planned for September 2026. Completion of Phase 2 is scheduled for early 2030, and the center will continue to remain operational during construction.”

Intentional Design Of Fort Worth Convention Center

An aerial south facing view of the Fort Worth Convention Center, with completion by 2030
An aerial south facing view of the Fort Worth Convention Center, with completion by 2030.

“The Phase 2 expansion positions Fort Worth to not only attract more conventions and meetings, but also to deepen engagement with downtown businesses and residents,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker.

“As a key part of the transformation of the southeast quadrant of downtown, the new center will anchor a hub of economic growth and higher-education partnerships, and its beautiful design will showcase the Modern West brand that has helped make Fort Worth a stand-out destination among our peer cities.”

The modern facility will nearly double the city’s convention capacity when complete.

A Vision of the Modern West

The transparent front elevation of the four story Fort Worth Convention Center
The transparent front elevation of the four story Convention Center.

It will be a “transparent, four-story structure will feature a central tower at Main and 9th Streets, reflecting the Tarrant County Courthouse on the north end of Main Street.” There will be public spaces including a “plaza with native prairie green space connecting to General Worth Square and terraces for outdoor events with expansive downtown views.”

The Texas-inspired design “will enable Fort Worth to host larger conventions or two large events simultaneously,” they say.

Ultimately, it will feature a total of 257,268 square feet of exhibit hall space, 60,917 square feet in meeting room space, 74,033 square feet in ballroom space and 16 loading docks.

Expanding Horizons For Fort Worth’s Future

The West Concourse inside the new Fort Worth Convention Center
The West Concourse inside the new Fort Worth Convention Center.

“Our customers shared their feedback, and we responded,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth. “From flexible space configurations that allow for more breakout sessions to ceiling heights required for sports competitions, the expansion and renovation will provide modern amenities and an authentic Texas experience attendees are seeking. Even within the ballroom, guests will immediately feel that they are in Fort Worth, Texas.”

Blending with other surrounding and historic downtown architecture, Phase 2 will incorporate brick, limestone, copper, and steel with patina finishes. “Interior spaces will feature leather, mesquite wood, blackened metal and exposed structural steel, complemented by warm tones and custom patterns that nod to local culture, including carpet designs and ballroom ceilings inspired by Texas sunsets, cattle brands and the City’s longhorn logo.”

Convention Center design is led by Atlanta-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm TVS and Fort Worth-based Bennett Partners, who also laid the groundwork with the completion of Phase 1 of the project recently.