Houston is gearing up for one of its biggest downtown transformations yet—a $2 billion expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB). The project, announced by Mayor John Whitmire and Houston First Corporation, isn’t just about adding more space—it’s about creating a world-class convention and entertainment district that will reshape the city’s core.
The first phase is set to begin this year and will be ready by May 2028, just in time for the Republican National Convention. It’s a bold move that positions Houston as a major player in attracting large-scale events, bringing more visitors, more business, and more energy to downtown.
This isn’t just an expansion—it’s a reinvention of the convention experience in Houston. Some key highlights of the new GRB Houston South facility include:
✔️ Two massive new exhibit halls totaling 150,000 square feet
✔️ Texas’ largest ballroom with a skyline view, spanning up to 80,000 square feet
✔️ A 50,000-square-foot multipurpose event hall
✔️ 25,000-square-foot flexible atrium space for unique event setups
✔️ Ground-level retail and dining, making the area a true destination
✔️ A 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza linking GRB with the Toyota Center
The design, led by Populous Architects, takes inspiration from Houston’s natural landscape—think open spaces, warm wood tones, greenery, and plenty of natural light.
This expansion isn’t just about making GRB bigger—it’s about making Houston a top-tier convention and entertainment city. Mayor Whitmire put it bluntly:
“This will impact every facet of Houston governance and our quality of life. It’s a rebirth in downtown.”
The economic impact is expected to be huge. More convention space means more events, more visitors, and more business for hotels, restaurants, and local shops. With funding coming from hotel occupancy taxes, the expansion won’t place any additional financial burden on Houston taxpayers.
The long-term vision extends beyond the GRB expansion itself. The plan aims to revamp the entire convention district, including:
• A complete redesign of the existing GRB space
• More public spaces to better connect downtown and Houston’s East End
• A vibrant entertainment district with restaurants, bars, and shopping
By 2038, Houston will have a fully transformed, pedestrian-friendly convention district designed to compete with the biggest convention cities in the world.
Not everyone is thrilled about one major change: Polk Street will be permanently closed to accommodate the expansion. East End residents, who rely on Polk as a direct connection to downtown, have raised concerns about increased traffic and detours.
To address this, the city plans to convert Leland Street into a two-way road, helping maintain access while balancing the needs of the new development.
Houston is betting big on its future, and this expansion could be a game-changer for the city’s economy, tourism, and overall downtown experience. With construction set to begin soon, it won’t be long before we start seeing Houston’s skyline evolve once again.
What do you think about this massive project? Excited about the changes, or concerned about Polk Street’s closure? Let us know in the comments!
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