Construction is underway on a $130 million convention center in Valley Ranch, aimed at boosting business and event opportunities in East Montgomery County. Texas-based SpawGlass began work last month, with the project expected to be completed by October 2026.
The 210,000-square-foot facility, designed by Orlando-based HHCP Architects, will sit in Valley Ranch’s Entertainment District near the Interstate 69 and Grand Parkway interchange. The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) purchased nine acres for the development for $4.6 million.
The convention center will represent a quantum leap in the region’s event-hosting capabilities, replacing a small 15,000-square-foot facility that could accommodate just 200 people. The new center will feature a 55,000-square-foot main exhibit hall/ballroom, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and 25,000 square feet of pre-function and lobby space. With seating capacity for over 6,000 guests and with flexible room configurations, it will accommodate everything from corporate meetings to trade shows and sporting events.
Valley Ranch Convention Center Project Factsheet
Budget: $130 million
Size: 210,000 square feet
Location: Valley Ranch Entertainment District, New Caney/Porter, TX
Start Date: January 2024
Expected Completion: October 2026
General Contractor: SpawGlass
Architect: HHCP Architects (Orlando)
Valley Ranch convention center Signature Features:
55,000 sq ft ballroom/exhibit hall
20,000 sq ft of meeting space
25,000 sq ft pre-function and lobby space
813-space parking garage
Seating capacity: 6,000+
Future addition: Full-service hotel
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Strategic Advantages:
Will be the 7th largest convention center in Texas
Location: 25 minutes from Downtown Houston, 10 minutes from The Woodlands, 15 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Part of 138-acre Entertainment District
Adjacent to 122-acre Town Center with 1.75M sq ft of mixed-use realty
Development Facts:
Developer: East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID)
Land acquisition: 9 acres bought from The Signorelli Co. at $4.6M
Uses: Corporate events, conventions, sporting events, consumer shows, galas
Designed to host multiple events simultaneously with divisible facilities
The strategic location of the building offers better accessibility – just 25 minutes from downtown Houston, 10 minutes from The Woodlands, and 15 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It will have an 813-car parking garage, with potential for an on-site hotel in the future.
Signorelli Company CEO Danny Signorelli pointed to the project’s significance as a catalyst for Valley Ranch growth, noting it will attract additional retail, restaurant, and entertainment development on nearly 200 acres. It will be the seventh-largest convention center in Texas upon completion.
The convention center is the newest component of Valley Ranch’s expanding entertainment options, which include the upcoming Lumos location – a 45,000-square-foot entertainment complex under construction in a former Sam’s Club store, opening summer 2024. The entire Valley Ranch development includes 1,400 acres of residential and commercial properties. Its Entertainment District and Town Center combined offer 1.75 million square feet of mixed-use space for retail, restaurant, office, and entertainment venues.
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