Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center |
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Aerial view of the complex (c.2015)
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| Address | 650 S Griffin St Dallas, TX 75202-5005 |
| Location | Convention Center District |
| Owner | City of Dallas |
| Operator | Spectra |
| Built | 1969-73 |
| Architect | Omniplan |
| Opened | January 1973 |
| Expanded |
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Former names
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Dallas Convention Center (1973-2013) |
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Meeting-room seating
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28-680 |
| Banquet/ballroom | 1,900-2,660 |
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Theatre seating
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1,730 (Burton Center for the Arts) 9,294 (Convention Center Arena) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 2,000,000 sq ft (190,000 m2) |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 724,526 sq ft (67,310.7 m2) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 98,947 sq ft (9,192.5 m2) |
| • Ballroom | 93,008 sq ft (8,640.7 m2) |
| Parking | 1,199 |
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCCD) is a huge building in Dallas, Texas. It's a place where many big events, meetings, and shows happen. It used to be called the Dallas Convention Center.
The first part of the center was the "Dallas Memorial Auditorium." It was built in 1957. Later, more parts were added to make it the large convention center we see today.
About the Convention Center
This center is very big, covering over 2 million square feet. That's like having more than 30 football fields under one roof! It has a huge area for exhibits, which is where big shows like the Dallas Auto Show take place every year.
One special part is a large hall with no columns, making it easy to set up big displays. The center also has a big arena that can hold almost 10,000 people. There's also a theater for performances and many meeting rooms.
On top of the building, there's a special landing spot for helicopters. This is one of the biggest heliports in the world! It can even handle special aircraft that can take off and land like helicopters.
In 2011, a large hotel called the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel opened. It is connected to the convention center, making it easy for visitors to stay nearby.
History of the Center
The Dallas Memorial Auditorium was built in 1957. It was a popular place for events. In 1973, the center grew bigger and was renamed the Dallas Convention Center. It was expanded several times over the years, in 1984, 1994, and 2002.
In 1994, a train station was built right under the center. This station connects the center to Dallas's light rail system, making it easy for people to get there. In 2013, the center was renamed to honor Kay Bailey Hutchison, a former US Senator.
Famous Events and Performers
Many exciting events and famous people have been at the center:
- Sports: The Dallas Chaparrals, a basketball team, played here from 1967 to 1973. They later became the San Antonio Spurs.
- Concerts: Many legendary musicians have performed here.
- In 1973, The Jackson 5 held a concert.
- Elvis Presley performed here in 1976.
- Led Zeppelin started their last American tour here in 1977.
- Queen filmed part of their "Fat Bottomed Girls" music video at the center in 1978.
- Other famous artists include Prince, Madonna, James Brown, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Bruce Springsteen.
- Political Events: The center hosted the 1984 Republican National Convention. President Ronald Reagan accepted his nomination for a second term there.
- Community Help: In 2005, the center became a safe place for thousands of people who had to leave their homes because of Hurricane Katrina.
- Fan Events: Since 2014, the center has been the home of Fan Expo Dallas, a big event for fans of comics, sci-fi, and pop culture.
- Wrestling: In 2016, WWE held their WrestleMania Axxess convention here, leading up to WrestleMania 32.
- Robotics: The VEX Robotics Competition World Championships have been held at the center several times, including in 2009, 2010, and from 2021 to 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center para niños
