Unique New Venues Debut at Convention Center

In July, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center unveiled the first of two exciting new spaces that will crown years of work to redesign the complex.

The new Lonesome Dove Room, opening onto the River Walk Grotto, is designed to host private events for 150 to 500 people.

The décor is Texas-themed and features rich fabrics and photographs taken by Bill Wittliff, the screenwriter for the “Lonesome Dove” mini-series based on Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer-Prize winning book. The series, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, told the story of an epic 1870s trail drive that started in Texas.
  
“San Antonio has such a rich history and for many of the groups that come down here it’s their first visit to Texas,” said Mike Sawaya, Executive Director for the convention center. “There are so many (great attributes) that are unique to our culture and make us stand out around the country.”
           
Construction on the Lonesome Dove Room began in April and includes enhancements to sound and lighting systems and retractable glass doors that open onto the Upper Grotto’s Waterfall Patio, a beautiful elevated outdoor patio at the foot of the River Walk waterfall. Sandstone and native plant landscaping set off the water elements and help to create a tranquil outdoor environment. 

New Look for Theater

A $26-million renovation to the Lila Cockrell Theatre is also under way and will be completed in December.

The 2,300-seat theater is the last part of the convention center complex to be completely renovated, and will feature new interiors, infrastructure, lighting and audio equipment. The lower-level theater rooms will have a retractable glass wall that opens up onto the Waterfall Patio across from the Lonesome Dove Room, increasing opportunities for indoor-outdoor flow.

Extensive Redesign

The renovations will cap off an extensive redesign and remodeling of the convention center complex. The end result, Sawaya hopes, will solidify San Antonio’s reputation as a premier meetings destination.
 
“Certainly the Lonesome Dove will do that, and not many convention centers have a performing arts theater within their complexes,” Sawaya said. “The Lila Cockrell Theatre, with its $26 million renovation from the ground up, sets us apart among the best convention centers in the country.”
 
With an exceptional downtown location on the renowned San Antonio River Walk — nicknamed the “world’s largest hotel lobby” — the convention center is within walking distance of historical attractions, restaurants and shops and close to more than 12,700 hotel rooms.