A major overhaul of the Toyota Center in Downtown Houston is set to get underway soon, positioning the arena as both a civic showpiece and economic engine ahead of the next Republican National Convention.
City officials and the Houston Rockets unveiled plans for a $180 million renovation of the 20-year-old venue at 1510 Polk Street, highlighted by a new 20,000-square-foot glass atrium that will transform the arena’s street presence and create a covered outdoor gathering space, according to the Houston Chronicle. Work is set to begin this summer after the NBA season and wrap by fall 2027.
The timing is deliberate, as Houston is slated to host the 2028 Republican National Convention. Mayor John Whitmire said the project will “completely transform the arena” without tapping local taxpayers.
Instead, roughly $95 million will come from a state grant tied to convention readiness, with Rockets owner and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta covering the remaining costs through his sports and entertainment company, according to the publication.
Beyond the atrium, the renovation focuses on premium experiences and revenue drivers. Plans call for expanded luxury suites, a larger team store with added checkout capacity and a new season ticket holder lounge spanning nearly 5,000 square feet. Entrances will be reworked to create more direct sightlines into the arena bowl, while digital displays and flexible event spaces aim to extend dwell time and spending, according to the outlet.
The renovation also includes converting the arena’s former practice facility to accommodate the returning WNBA Houston Comets, set to resume playing in 2027. In March, Fertita agreed to acquire the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun for a record $300 million, with plans to relocate the franchise to Houston and resurrect the former Comets franchise.
The investment comes as the arena faces a longer-term capital challenge. An independent study last year pegged more than $635 million in needed maintenance over the next two decades, according to the outlet. Recent incremental upgrades — including new seating, a roof replacement and a revamped scoreboard — have chipped away at that figure, but the latest project marks a more visible reset.— Eric Weilbacher
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