The new GRB South Garage has 1,000 spaces and is initially serving Toyota Center events. Construction still keeps several streets around the convention center closed.
HOUSTON — The Avenida Central Garage, located beneath Discovery Green, reopened to the public after months of exclusive valet service for the Hilton Americas-Houston. The reopening, announced by Houston First on November 5, 2026, allows the use again of a parking facility with capacity for 660 vehicles adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB).
The change comes after the closure of the old Avenida South Garage in May. Its demolition ended in July, but the convention district expansion continues and maintains restrictions for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists on several streets in the area.
The Hilton will continue using Avenida Central during peak-demand hours
The reopened parking lot again becomes an option for visitors to Discovery Green, the GRB, and nearby restaurants and businesses. However, it will continue sharing part of its operation with the Hilton Americas-Houston.
During periods of peak demand for the valet service, the hotel will continue using Avenida Central as additional parking. Houston First expects this situation to continue until a new connection tunnel between the Hilton and the GRB South Garage is completed, scheduled for 2027.
For that reason, the public reopening does not guarantee spaces at all times. The Houston First announcement also does not specify new parking rates.
GRB South Garage: 1,000 spaces on Bell Street for Toyota Center events
The new GRB South Garage is located at 1835 Bell Street, near the intersection with Chenevert Street, in southeast downtown Houston.
For now, its spaces are used mainly for Houston Rockets games, concerts and other events held at Toyota Center.
The parking is not yet functioning as a general-use option for all visitors to the convention center. Houston First anticipates that later it will also serve Hilton Americas-Houston guests and other users, when surrounding construction conditions permit.
Polk, Chenevert, Jackson and Clay remain closed in November
The current Houston First information for November 2026 identifies the following restrictions around the project:
- Polk Street, between Chartres and Jackson: closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
- Chenevert Street, between Bell and Polk: all lanes closed.
- Jackson Street, between Bell and Polk: full lane closure.
- Clay Street, between Hamilton and Jackson: full lane closure.
- Leeland Street, between Hamilton and Jackson: two lanes closed.
- Avenida de las Americas, between McKinney and Lamar: vehicular access restricted to Hilton valet service.
Motorists arriving downtown from EaDo and East End can use Pease Street or St. Joseph Parkway, according to routes recommended by Houston First.
For those traveling by bike between EaDo and downtown, the alternate route passes through Rusk Street.
Avenida North remains the recommended option for GRB visitors
Houston First continues to recommend the Avenida North Garage, with entrances on Capitol and Rusk, for visitors to the convention center and Discovery Green.
There are also surface parking lots in the surrounding area and ParkMobile reservation options, subject to availability.
Guests of the Hilton Americas-Houston can use valet service at the hotel’s main entrance on Dallas Street. Other options include Tundra Garage, near the Toyota Center, and the Norton Rose Fulbright Tower parking, both subject to availability.
The construction of the new parking facility is part of the GRB expansion, which includes a building of approximately 700,000 square feet and a future event plaza connected to the Toyota Center. The opening of the new convention building is scheduled for May 2028.
Related: Closures near the GRB in Houston: removal of the skybridge and demolition of parking.
