Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston First Corporation have unveiled a master plan to reconnect the city’s East End with downtown, creating a walkable convention and entertainment district.
Phase 1 incorporates a 700,000-square-foot expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) that will provide access to the Toyota Center via a new 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza. This development will serve as a connection point to future phases of the plan that will "redefine" downtown’s eastern edge, linking the area’s major facilities and amenities with new public spaces.
The first phase of development, GRB Houston South, will include:
- 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 flexible indoor-outdoor space
- An atrium flex hall totaling 25,000 square feet
- 225,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space
- The largest ballroom in Texas, a 60,000- to 80,000-square-foot space offering views of downtown
- Ground-level spaces for retail and restaurants
- A central atrium providing each level with natural light
A southward extension of the Avenida Houston Plaza will also connect Discovery Green to the new Central Plaza, anchoring multiple blocks of pedestrian-focused streetscape to support large-scale events and community activations.
Good to know: The building will incorporate low-carbon materials, high-efficiency building systems with rainwater collection and water-reduction strategies, and native landscaping in a new expansive living roof, with potential solar integration. These efforts will reduce the building’s environmental footprint, enhance the city’s resilience and create an inclusive gathering space for generations of Houstonians.
GRB Houston South is scheduled to open in May 2028. Future construction will be managed in phases to ensure the GRB remains operational throughout the process, with no interruption to scheduled shows or events. The full campus transformation is anticipated to be complete by 2038.
For more information, visit www.houstonfirst.com.
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