By Carol Quillen, Phoebe Tudor – March 22, 2025
For more than two decades, Houston’s iconic Astrodome has stood silent, closed to the public. In 2013, calls for demolition prompted the National Trust for Historic Preservation to engage, naming it one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and placing resources and expertise on the ground in Houston. Now, the Astrodome Conservancy has stepped forward with a viable, sustainable redevelopment concept.
It’s time to move forward with Vision: Astrodome, the recently unveiled proposal from the Astrodome Conservancy. It activates the power of this historic monument to serve the public, now and long into the future.
Since its opening in 1965, the Astrodome has symbolized Houston’s ingenuity and spirit. As the world’s first multi-purpose indoor stadium, it was a groundbreaking achievement in engineering and design. It hosted legendary moments in sports, and unforgettable performances. Even as thousands of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attendees have walked around the building in recent weeks, it sits closed, an underutilized behemoth, its potential in question — a symbol of what was and what could be.
A recent poll by the Houston Business Journal show that 95% of their readers believe the Astrodome should be reactivated, not demolished. The Astrodome Conservancy’s own community engagement has found a similar level of backing for repurposing the building. There is a clear belief in the value of the Astrodome’s history, its architectural and cultural significance and its potential to contribute to the city’s economic future.
The Astrodome is not a relic; it’s a living part of Houston’s story. The Astrodome Conservancy, in collaboration with Gensler architects, has developed an innovative concept that preserves the Dome’s distinctive features while creating a thriving new hub for commerce and culture. The proposal calls for the creation of a pedestrian boulevard connecting NRG Stadium and NRG Center, cutting through the Dome and transforming its vast interior. The plan would turn the Dome’s arena into a 10,000-seat event space, surrounded by retail shops, restaurants, office space and even a hotel. The vision promotes NRG Park and enhances it as an entertainment destination, addressing the primary tenants needs and enhancing the user experience for all who visit.
The best part? Vision: Astrodome will attract hundreds of millions of private dollars in investment, relieving the burden on Harris County and taxpayers.By tapping into historic tax credits and other non-traditional resources, private investment can fund the redevelopment, making it a sustainable and innovative move for local leadership.
Vision: Astrodome takes a pragmatic approach to redevelopment by building upon the existing infrastructure of the Astrodome and NRG Park. As the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board noted, this vision was created with “real-world savvy.” The project would offer additional parking, new dining, retail, much needed hotel options and an inviting and dynamic space for Houstonians to gather.
For more than 40 years, the Astrodome united us — friends, fans, rivals and strangers — to share in meaningful experiences. We need these places. They ground and connect us — to heroes and to each other, to our parents, and to our children’s grandchildren.
The time to act is now. Vision: Astrodome is a viable, realistic roadmap that can breathe new life into a beloved landmark. By embracing this vision, we honor the past while investing in Houston’s future in a smart, strategic and bold fashion. Let’s go home to the Dome, Houston.
Carol Quillen leads the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She lived in Houston for 20 years. Phoebe Tudor has made Houston her home for more than three decades. She is the current Chairman of the Board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.