Fort Worth is proceeding with the demolition of its former Convention Center Arena, a structure completed in 1968 that was widely recognized for its distinctive saucer-like design. The city recently hosted a farewell event titled "It's Goin' Down" to mark the building's impending removal.
The arena stood on a ceremonial axis connecting Sundance Square and the Tarrant County Courthouse, serving as a prominent landmark in downtown Fort Worth.
The venue hosted numerous high-profile performers throughout its history, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, and the K-Pop group BTS. It also served as the home court for the Texas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association, a franchise that later became the San Antonio Spurs.
The building’s architecture featured thick columns clad in light-blue mosaic tile at its main entrance, designed by a consortium of local architects led by Preston M. Geren.
Demolition is scheduled to begin early next year to facilitate an expansion of the linked convention center. The existing structure will be replaced by a four-story, glass-fronted extension designed by the firm TVS. Renderings of the new addition have been described as architecturally unremarkable.
In addition to the arena, Fort Worth has planned the destruction of another Geren building, a two-story office structure at 919 Summit Ave. completed in 1959, which will be replaced by a new library.
