Gilbane-Flintco Celebrates the Unveiling of Convention District Transformation Project

Mayor John Whitmire has announced the landmark project to revitalize the George R. Brown Convention Center at a press conference hosted by Houston First Corporation. Team members from Hines, Gilbane Building Company, Flintco Construction and Populous joined community members and city officials to commemorate the upcoming development.

For almost 40 years, the GRB has been a mainstay in the city’s events landscape. The convention center 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, further solidifying the city as one of the top tourist destinations in the county.

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 pulls inspiration directly from Houston, using similar tones, wood accents and vegetation in the city’s bayou and prairie landscapes.

The project was partly made possible by the passing of Senate Bill 1057, introduced by Mayor Whitmire during his time in the state Senate. The 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.