Historic Trask House Returns to Original Site, Marking Landmark moment in Austin Convention Center Redevelopment

The City of Austin hosted community members, city leaders, project partners and community stakeholders gathered for a dynamic event celebrating the reveal of the historic Trask House & Kitchen back to its original home on Neches Street marking a significant milestone in the Austin Convention Center redevelopment. The reveal took place at Moonshine Grill in downtown Austin, Texas.

Moved years ago to accommodate the construction of the existing convention center, the Trask House will soon return to its historic footprint. This project is part of the City’s broader vision to reconnect Austin’s past with its future.

The event brought together city leadership and preservation experts who emphasized the importance of protecting cultural landmarks while advancing a vibrant, walkable downtown district. Once restoration is complete, the Trask House will serve as a unique civic and cultural destination within the reimagined convention center corridor.

“When complete, the convention center redevelopment and expansion project is estimated to add over $285 million to the Austin economy, for a total of over $750 million in economic impact annually.” said Mayor Watson

"Progress and preservation can and should go hand in hand and protecting places like the Trask House keeps Austin grounded in its identity," said Council Member Zo Qadri.

“This moment represents more than a relocation. It reflects Austin’s commitment to honoring its history while investing in its future,” said Katy Zamesnik, interim Director of the Convention Center during opening remarks.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the history and the many layers of the Trask House, and to better understand its place within Austin’s evolving story,” said Dr. Tara Dudley, Architectural Historian at the University of Texas at Austin.

“We’re proud to celebrate and reinvest in one of Austin’s irreplaceable historic places,” said Lindsey Derrington, Executive Director of Preservation Austin.

“Bringing the historic Trask House back to its original site that now sits between the new Convention Center ballroom and Waterloo Greenway is a full circle moment for downtown Austin. This piece of Austin history becomes an active, flexible civic place, and one that invites both locals and visitors to engage with the city’s layered history in a meaningful way.” Ginny Chilton, Design Architect, Stantec

Event Highlights

● Remarks from City of Austin leadership and project partners

● Celebration of the Trask House’s to soon return to its original location

● Overview of the Austin Convention Center redevelopment vision

● Media availability and community engagement

Featured Speakers Included

● Mayor Kirk Watson

● Council Member Zo Qadri

● Tara Dudley, Assistant Professor, UT Austin School of Architecture

● Lindsey Derrington, Executive Director, Preservation Austin

● Larry Irsik, AIA, Senior Principal, Architexas

● Ginny Chilton, AIA, Principal, Page (now Stantec)

About the Trask House

The Trask House is one of downtown Austin’s few remaining 19th-century residences, originally associated with early Austin settler Frances Trask and constructed in 1855.