Frank Erwin Center

Project Overview

The demolition of the Frank Erwin Center redefined what’s possible in complex, urban deconstruction. Located at the heart of Austin’s medical and academic district, this 500,000+ sq ft, six-story arena was surrounded by hospitals, highways, and the active University of Texas campus—making traditional implosion or heavy demo unworkable.

Lindamood, SpawGlass, and UT Austin formed an integrated team from project conception through completion, prioritizing stakeholder engagement, transparency, and safety above all else. Strict engineering controls meant only compact equipment could be used for all interior and elevated demolition, preserving structural integrity and protecting critical infrastructure. Exterior and ground-level work relied on high-efficiency excavators, material handlers, and carefully managed sequencing.

The project set a new Texas benchmark with one of the largest engineered open-span mechanical drops on record, executed without incident or disruption. Over 69,000 tons of debris were removed—86% recycled via off-site processing, with digital tracking (LiDAR, Procore, HCSS) ensuring full documentation for UT’s “living laboratory” sustainability study. All work was completed ahead of schedule, under budget, and with zero safety incidents or interruptions to hospital or university operations.

The Frank Erwin Center project exemplified collaborative problem-solving, technical innovation, and community-first values. Transparent communication, campus walk-throughs, and ongoing updates transformed the demolition into a public teachable moment. By working as one team, Lindamood and its partners paved the way for the next generation of healthcare, education, and sustainable construction in Texas.

Key Project Points