Double-deck skybridge adjoins George R. Brown with 1,200-room hotel

HOUSTON, Texas (September 26, 2002) - With more than a year of construction remaining, the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel are already joined at the hip after steelworkers recently lifted into place a 110-ton pedestrian skybridge that will forever connect the two downtown landmarks.

Turner Construction Company successfully hoisted the 140-foot, double-deck bridge onto concrete columns to connect the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton. When construction is complete in the fall of 2003, convention-goers and hotel guests will be able to traverse the two buildings on two levels.

"Watching a 110-ton piece of steel suspended in midair and lowered into place is a marvel," said Dawn Ullrich, director of the George R. Brown Convention Center. "It is also a symbolic step that vividly demonstrates that the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas will be forever linked."

Two additional skybridges will be mounted later to adjoin both the convention center and the hotel to a shared parking garage.

The George R. Brown Convention Center is undergoing an expansion project that will virtually double the amount of exhibition, meeting and registration space. At more that 1.8 million gross square feet, it will be the largest convention facility in Houston.

With 1,200 rooms, the Hilton Americas will be the largest hotel in Houston. It will also feature 91,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, a business center, three restaurants, health spa and the largest ballroom in the city.

Contact:

Pete Radowick
713-853-8077
peter.radowick@cityofhouston.net