Allen, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, has approved a major development that could bring in new sports and convention business.
The Allen City Council approved a 290-room convention hotel along with a 64,200-square foot convention center and a 1,000-car parking garage. The entire project, expected to cost $85 million, should break ground this year, with opening estimated in 2017.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the complex, to be located on North Central Expressway at Bethany Drive, will be across the street from the popular Watters Creek shopping and apartment development.
“There is a great demand in this area for a facility to house a small convention,” Allen Mayor Stephen Terrell said. “Now is the time — time for us to get going and expand.”
The Allen American noted the center will offer the largest convention and exhibition space in the north Dallas suburbs and compares to DFW’s most significant centers, including the Gaylord, Hilton Anatole and the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, according to a study by HVS.
Allen has experienced notable corporate and retail growth, and this propels a demand for larger business and recreational events, as well as for convention services.
5G Studio Collaborative has been selected for architectural design. Dan Bowman, executive director of Allen Economic Development, noted that Allen sent out a request for development proposals to more than two dozen firms. It picked Dallas-based TCH Partners and Altera Development to build the project. . Plano-based Aimbridge Hospitality has been chosen to manage the hotel.
This is a real game-changer,” said Karen Cromwell, Director of the Allen Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The new convention hotel will compete on a regional level with major venues such as the Frisco Embassy Suites that offer large combined meeting and exhibit space.”
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