San Antonio convention center overhaul moving forward
Plans for the expanding the convention center in San Antonio, Texas, are moving forward, with the awarding of the design-build contract.
San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and City Council have officially approved the project by awarding the design-build contract to the Hunt/Zachry Joint Venture team to design and construct the $325 million expansion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
The expansion is expected to vault the convention center from 22nd to top-10 in size of comparable facilities. Completion is expected in 2016, and the convention center will not close during construction.
The expansion calls for 835,000 gross sq. ft. of new construction and 78,000 sq. ft. of renovation. Plans include new exhibit halls, a new entrance, expansion and renovation of food service facilities, and improvements to circulation and way-finding. The original 1968-era wing will be demolished in 2016 upon completion of new construction and renovations.
Among the improvements are:
- 280,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit space
- new 55,000 sq. ft. ballroom (purportedly will be the largest in Texas)
- meeting, prefunction, and back-of-house space to support the exhibit halls. Details: www.sahbgcc.com.
