Tarrant County Coliseum
| Fort Worth Convention Center | |
|---|---|
Exterior of convention center, c.2008
|
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| 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, 2002-03 |
|
Construction cost
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$5.5 million ($39.5 million in 2016 dollars) |
|
Former names
|
Tarrant County Convention Center (1968-97) |
| Banquet/ballroom | 4,210 (Water Garden Events Plaza) 3,544 (FWCC Ballroom) |
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Theatre seating
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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.
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.
On November 23rd and 24th 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.
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Wikipedia