Fort Worth Convention Center

The Fort Worth Convention Center (formerly the Tarrant County Convention Center) is a convention center and indoor arena located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The complex opened on September 30, 1968, and underwent expansions in 1983, 2002, and 2003.

Proposed by county officials in 1961 as a competitor to the Dallas Convention Center, the project was approved in 1967. Over 14 city blocks (formerly known as "Hell's Half Acre") were demolished to make way for the new facility, which opened in 1968. The building is renowned for its indoor arena, which features a distinctive flying saucer-like design. In 1997, the City of Fort Worth purchased the facilities and property, renaming the complex the Fort Worth Convention Center. In 2000, the Kennedy Theatre was demolished to make way for the Water Gardens Event Plaza. In 2014, the city proposed demolishing the aging arena to expand convention space.