After 46 years, Frank Erwin Center is being torn down to make way for UT, MD Anderson hospitals

Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman
Updated ·1 min read
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Crews began demolishing the Erwin Center and the adjacent Cooley Pavilion on Tuesday morning, clearing the site for the new University of Texas Medical Center, including a new UT specialty care hospital and an MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The University of Texas System announced in August that it would expand existing facilities with the two new hospitals, bringing world-class specialty and oncology care to Austin. The demolition comes at a cost of $25 million.

The two hospitals' construction is estimated to cost $2.5 billion, with groundbreaking expected to begin in 2026. They are set to open by 2029 or 2030.

Demolition of the Erwin Center began Tuesday. The arena and the adjacent Cooley Pavilion are being demolished to make way for a new University of Texas specialty care hospital and an MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Demolition of the Erwin Center began Tuesday. The arena and the adjacent Cooley Pavilion are being demolished to make way for a new University of Texas specialty care hospital and an MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Named for Frank Erwin, a former chairman of the UT Systems board of regents shortly after his death, the 46-year-old building housed the UT men's and women's basketball teams and served as a venue for concerts and special events, including local high school and UT graduations. At its peak, the Erwin Center had a capacity of 16,540 people.

It was replaced by the nearby Moody Center in 2022, hosting its last commencement in May that year.

UT's communications office did not immediately respond when asked how long the demolition would take.

Crews work on demolishing the Erwin Center. The building served as the home for the Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams for 45 years and hosted many concerts and other events. It was replaced by the Moody Center a couple of blocks north.
Crews work on demolishing the Erwin Center. The building served as the home for the Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams for 45 years and hosted many concerts and other events. It was replaced by the Moody Center a couple of blocks north.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: After 46 years, Frank Erwin Center is being torn down