New Convention Center at Valley Ranch Entertainment District Goes Vertical 

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Signorelli Company and East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) today shared first images of the new 210,000-square-foot convention center currently under construction in the Valley Ranch Entertainment District in New Caney, Texas. The project has now entered the vertical phase as the building’s walls are erected, and the exterior structure is taking shape.

“This progress marks a major milestone in the continued development of this world-class event space, set to become a premier destination for commerce, entertainment and community celebrations in Greater Houston,” said Greg Wattson, SVP of Commercial Development for The Signorelli Company, the developer of Valley Ranch.

Construction went vertical in August with the installation of the first tilt wall panels for the administrative offices, kitchen and maintenance/storage areas on the north side of the facility. Structural steel is now rising in those same areas. Additionally, excavation has begun for the attached 813-space parking garage. 

The convention center remains on track for its late 2026 opening.

“It’s exciting to see this project coming together,” said Wattson. “Each milestone brings us closer to a premier convention venue that will help to shape the future of this community and region by bringing new economic opportunity and adding to the quality of life.”  

EMCID's convention center design includes a 55,000-square-foot ballroom/exhibit hall, nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and between 35,000 and 40,000 square feet of pre-function and lobby areas with outdoor courtyards. The facility will be able to host multiple events including corporate meetings, trade shows, youth sporting events, expos and galas. 

Once complete, it will be the seventh largest convention center in Texas.

EMCID estimates the convention center will generate nearly $1.73 billion in new spending over 30 years, $35.1 million in sales, hotel and venue taxes and 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs.

“The Improvement District is proud to bring this amenity to the East Montgomery County community and serve as an economic driver to Valley Ranch and the surrounding areas,” said Frank McCrady, EMCID President & CEO. “In fact, the promise of the convention center has already attracted interest from entertainment and dining options, as well as hotels looking to be a part of it all. We’ve put many years of effort into this project to make it a one-of-a-kind facility that provides for unique and lasting experiences. This venue will add so much to the dynamic of the growing Valley Ranch development moving forward.” 

Valley Ranch Evolution Shapes New Identity 

Strategically located along Interstate 69 and the Grand Parkway in Montgomery County, Valley Ranch benefits from high-quality regional connectivity, with Downtown Houston just 25 minutes away and The Woodlands only 10 minutes away.

The convention center is central to the mixed-use development’s ongoing transformation and is part of a broader wave of expansion that includes multiple new districts and destinations within the 1,400-acre master-planned development. This evolution is reflected in Valley Ranch’s new brand identity, symbolized by a Blossom icon with five circles that represent the community’s interconnected lifestyle and spectrum of uses: Family, Business, Financial, Entertainment and Personal Well-being.

Valley Ranch is made up of vibrant neighborhoods and destinations, including residential communities, plus Valley Ranch Town Center, which was recognized as Houston’s most visited open-air shopping center in 2024 by Placer.ai, and the Valley Ranch Entertainment District, which will be anchored by the convention center. The Marketplace, a 188-acre upscale shopping and lifestyle district, is currently in lease-up phase along with the Entertainment District. Future development plans include the Azalea District to meet the health and wellness needs of the area’s fast-growing population.

Among the largest privately held development firms in Texas, The Signorelli Company’s portfolio includes five other master-planned communities in Montgomery County. In Fort Bend County, construction is underway on Austin Point, a 4,700-acre regionally transformative satellite city at the future intersection of Fort Bend Parkway and Grand Parkway. The Austin Point plan includes 14,000 residences and more than 1,600 acres of retail, hospitality, multifamily, medical and corporate use space, organized into integrated districts. Home sales are now underway in that community. 

To learn more about The Signorelli Company, visit www.signorellicompany.com.