A rendering of the Toyota Center “Reimagined.”
The Toyota Center in Houston, which is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets as well as a relocating WNBA franchise, is being “reimagined” with $180 million in renovations.
Plans for upgrading the downtown arena, announced Wednesday by the basketball teams’ ownership, include a new atrium, premium hospitality spaces, renovated suites and “fan-first” innovations. Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said in a statement that the transformation will cost $180 million.
“Today’s announcement of a $180 million investment into one of our most beloved stadiums represents another step forward for the future of Houston and Harris County as a world-class sports and entertainment destination,” Briones said. “This investment will allow for increased economic development and expanded opportunity for our region.”
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Speaking at a Houston City Council meeting Wednesday, Mayor John Whitmire said the project will not come at a cost to Houston taxpayers. According to Whitmire, $95 million will come from the state of Texas, with the rest coming from Tilman Fertitta, the owner of the Rockets who also is buying the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and moving the team to Houston in 2027. Whitmire did not specify where the state funds would come from.
A rendering of the Toyota Center “Reimagined.”
The renovation project was approved by the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority on Wednesday. In a statement announcing the renovations, officials with the Toyota Center said the project is meant to coincide with the ongoing George R. Brown Convention Center expansion.
“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to continually invest in Houston and deliver a world-class experience for the millions of guests who visit Toyota Center and downtown Houston each year,” Fertitta said in a news release. “Toyota Center Reimagined will elevate the guest experience, introduce dynamic new gathering spaces, and ensure Toyota Center remains one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the country.”
A rendering of the Toyota Center “Reimagined.”
The project will include the addition of a nearly 20,000-square-foot atrium located at the corner of Polk and La Branch streets. An over 5,000-square-foot “Season Ticket Members Lounge” is also part of the plan.
The renovations are expected to be completed by fall 2027.
Houston Public Media’s Dominic Anthony Walsh contributed to this report.