Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Location	Dallas, Texas, United States
Coordinates	32.7772° N, 96.8053° W
Owner	City of Dallas
Operator	City of Dallas
Built	1957
Expanded	1973, 1984, 2002
Former names	Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas Convention Center

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is a major convention center located in the Arts District of Dallas, Texas, United States, and is named after former United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The center has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the Republican National Convention in 1984, the NBA All-Star Game in 2010, and the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament South Regional. It has also been the site of various Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks events, as well as concerts by famous performers such as Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Taylor Swift. The center is situated near several notable landmarks, including the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the Dallas World Aquarium, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

● History

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center was originally built in 1957 as the Dallas Memorial Auditorium, and was later renamed the Dallas Convention Center in 1973. The center has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including a major expansion in 1984 that added over 500,000 square feet of exhibition space. The center has hosted a wide range of events, including conferences, trade shows, and concerts, and has been the site of several high-profile events, including the 1984 Republican National Convention, which was attended by Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Nancy Reagan. The center has also been used as a filming location for several movies and television shows, including Dallas, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Good Guys. Other notable events held at the center include the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament South Regional, and concerts by Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West.

● Architecture and Design

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center was designed by a team of architects led by HKS, Inc., a Dallas-based architecture firm that has also designed several other notable buildings, including the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the American Airlines Center. The center's design features a unique combination of modern and postmodern elements, including a large glass atrium and a series of interconnected buildings. The center's exterior is clad in a combination of limestone, granite, and stainless steel, and features a large LED display screen on the exterior of the building. The center's interior features a range of amenities, including a large ballroom, several meeting rooms, and a variety of food and beverage options, including restaurants, cafes, and concession stands. The center is also home to several notable works of art, including a large sculpture by Henry Moore and a mural by Frank Stella.

● Facilities and Events

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center features over 1 million square feet of exhibition space, including a large arena that can seat up to 10,000 people. The center also features a range of other facilities, including a large theater, several meeting rooms, and a variety of food and beverage options. The center has hosted a wide range of events, including conferences, trade shows, and concerts, and has been the site of several high-profile events, including the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament South Regional and concerts by Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and Beyoncé. The center is also home to several notable events, including the Dallas Auto Show, the Dallas Boat Show, and the Texas Comic Con. Other notable events held at the center include the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, the 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament South Regional, and concerts by Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and Jay-Z.

● Location and Transportation

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is located in the Arts District of Dallas, Texas, United States, and is situated near several notable landmarks, including the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the Dallas World Aquarium, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The center is also located near several major transportation hubs, including Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and is accessible by several major highways, including Interstate 30 and Interstate 35E. The center is also served by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, which provides convenient access to several other notable destinations in the Dallas area, including the American Airlines Center, the AT&T Stadium, and the Globe Life Park in Arlington. Other nearby attractions include the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the White Rock Lake, and the Reunion Tower.

● Renovations and Expansions

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major expansion in 2002 that added over 300,000 square feet of exhibition space. The center is currently undergoing a major renovation, which will add several new facilities, including a large ballroom and several meeting rooms. The renovation will also include several upgrades to the center's existing facilities, including new lighting and sound systems, as well as several new food and beverage options. The center has also been the site of several other notable renovations and expansions, including the addition of a new arena in 1984 and the renovation of the center's exterior in 2010. Other notable renovations include the addition of a new theater in 2005 and the renovation of the center's lobby in 2015. The center is expected to continue to undergo renovations and expansions in the coming years, including the addition of several new facilities and the upgrade of several existing facilities, such as the American Airlines Center and the AT&T Stadium.