Fort Worth Convention Center

Fort Worth Convention Center
Exterior of convention center, c.2008
Address 12 Houston St
Fort Worth, TX 76102-6432
Location Sundance Square, Downtown Fort Worth
Owner City of Fort Worth
Operator Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
Opened September 30, 1968
Renovated 1983, 2003
Construction cost
 $5.5 million
($40.4 million in 2017 dollars[1] )
Former names
 Tarrant County Convention Center (1968-97)
Banquet/ballroom 4,210 (Water Garden Events Plaza)
3,544 (FWCC Ballroom)
Theatre seating
 13,500 (FWCC Arena)
Enclosed space
 • Exhibit hall floor 227,613 square feet (21,145.9 m2)
 • Breakout/meeting 58,849 square feet (5,467.3 m2)
 • Ballroom 109,120 square feet (10,138 m2)
Website
Official Website

The Fort Worth Convention Center (formerly known as the Tarrant County Convention Center) is a convention center and indoor arena located in Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas. The complex opened on September 30, 1968, and was expanded in 1983, 2002 and 2003.[2][3]

Background

Interior of arena

The complex was proposed by county officials in 1961, as a competitor to the Dallas Convention Center. Approved in 1967, over 14 city blocks (previously known as "Hell's Half Acre") were demolished to make way for the new facility. Opening in 1968, the building is noted for the indoor arena, resembling a flying saucer. In 1997, the City of Fort Worth purchased the facilities and properties, changing the complex's name to the Fort Worth Convention Center. In 2000, the JFK Theatre was demolished to make way for the Water Garden Events Plaza. In 2014, it was proposed by the city to demolish the aging arena for an additional meeting space.[4]

Notable Events

On June 15 and 16, 1974, Elvis Presley performed an afternoon and evening show on each day at the arena. [5]

On May 3, 1976, Paul McCartney & Wings opened the North American leg of the Wings over the World Tour at the arena.

On July 7 and 8, 1977, The Eagles performed two sold out shows as part of their Hotel California Tour at the arena. [6]

February 27, 1977 was selected as the first date of the Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977 at the arena, but that tour was delayed in starting. The rescheduled Ft. Worth date was May 22, 1977.

On May 1, 1977, Pink Floyd played a show on the In the Flesh Tour at the arena which has surfaced on bootleg over the years.

On November 23 and 24, 1987, U2 performed Two sold out shows as part of their Joshua Tree tour. Parts of the second show were filmed and appeared in the feature film "Rattle and Hum", a documentary of the tour. The song "When Love Comes to Town" featuring B.B. King was prominent in the film.

In 1979, The Bee Gees kicked off their successful Spirits Having Flown Tour which was filmed for The Bee Gees Special that aired later in the year on NBC.

The Metallica concert video Cunning Stunts was recorded at the Fort Worth Convention Center on May 9–10, 1997.

Bob Dylan's highly successful 1974 "comeback tour" featuring The Band stopped at the complex, which was at that time still called the Tarrant County Convention Center.

The concert movie Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones was partially filmed at the arena, during the Rolling Stones' 1972 Tour of America.

On February 26, 2016, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally for his campaign at the convention center.[7]

In September 2018, South Korean group BTS held two concerts as part of their Love Yourself Tour.[8]

Sports

For a time in 1970–71, it hosted home games for the Texas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association.[9] At another time, it was the temporary home of the San Antonio Spurs. During the 1990s, the building was home to the Fort Worth Fire and Fort Worth Brahmas ice hockey teams, as well as the Arena Football League's Fort Worth Cavalry. From 2005 to 2007, it was home to the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League.

The arena also hosted the 1992 Davis Cup final, which saw the United States defeat Switzerland.

The 2018 National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) held their 30th annual National Championships at the convention center.[10]

Preceded by
Palais des Sports de Gerland
Lyon		 Davis Cup
Final Venue
1992		 Succeeded by
Exhibition Hall
Düsseldorf

Coordinates: Mapper 2.0 32°44′56″N 97°19′40″W / 32.749°N 97.3277°W / 32.749; -97.3277

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  2. ↑ http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5WPX_Fort_Worth_Convention_Center_Fort_Worth_TX
  3. ↑ https://secure.historicfortworth.org/Shop/OnlineStore/tabid/555/CategoryID/3/List/0/SortField/ProductName/catpageindex/4/Level/1/ProductID/43/Default.aspx
  4. ↑ Fox, Laurie (January 31, 2015). "Fort Worth project will build more spacious arena next door to beloved Will Rogers Coliseum". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  5. ↑ http://tcbelvisworld.blogspot.com/2009/11/elvis-concert-list-1974.html
  6. ↑ http://www.eaglesonlinecentral.com/tour/1976hc.htm
  7. ↑ "Trump holds rally in Fort Worth". Wfaa.com. 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  8. ↑ "BTS marches to K-pop beat, but their loyal ARMY steals Saturday night's show". star-telegram. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  9. ↑ http://www.remembertheaba.com/TeamMaterial/DallasMaterial/ChaparralsSpursYearly.html
  10. ↑ "NAIGC Concludes Record Setting 2018 National Championships". usagym.org. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
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