AUSTIN, Texas — It looks like another iconic Austin landmark will be reduced to rubble soon. The University of Texas System’s Board of Regents this week is slated to discuss demolishing the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center and the adjacent Denton A. Cooley Pavilion.

What You Need To Know

  • A University of Texas System Board of Regents agenda item indicates the Frank Irwin Center, located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, will be demolished by October 2024

  • The arena will be demolished in phases and the space will accommodate the expansion of Dell Medical Center 

  • Built in 1977 and located on the southeast end of the University of Texas at Austin campus, the Frank Erwin Center is a 5,000-square-foot, six-story multipurpose arena

  • The arena in 2022 was replaced by the Moody Center 

According to an agenda item, the demolition will occur in phases and is expected to be complete in October 2024. The price tag for demolition is in the ballpark of $25 million.

Built in 1977 and located on the southeast end of the University of Texas at Austin campus, the Frank Erwin Center is a 5,000-square-foot, six-story multipurpose arena.

The arena, originally called the Special Events Center, in 1980 was renamed for UT Board of Regents member Frank Erwin.

It was the home of the Texas Longhorns men’s and women’s basketball programs for years and hosted concerts and many sporting events. U2, Kiss, Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga and Kanye West are among the artists who performed there.

In 2022, the Frank Erwin Center was replaced by the Moody Center, which, besides UT basketball, has attracted the top tier of touring musicians and professional sports teams, including the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

The space will accommodate the expansion of Dell Medical School.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect that the demolition will accommodate the expansion of Dell Medical Center. May 3, 2023.