[sirkingwilliam]

HDRC approved the projected today!

More information: Over 300 residential units. Office, retail, grocery store and a restaurant.

Historic panel tentatively OKs 1221 Broadway project

Web Posted: 04/16/2008 11:51 PM CDT

Aïssatou Sidimé
Express-News Business Writer

After languishing unfinished for more than three years, the complex of concrete, brick and steel buildings at the junction of Interstate 35 and Interstate 37 took a step toward completion Wednesday when the San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission gave tentative approval for a mixed-use development of offices and apartments there.

Colina Del Rio LP plans to strip, redesign and expand the complex, now known as 1221 Broadway. The developer hopes to add a fifth floor to the office building and a fifth floor to each of the 21 apartment buildings.

If the project gets final approval, the work would begin in July and should be completed by late fall, according to the developer.

The HDRC unanimously approved the project's concept but asked lead architect Mickey Conrad of OCO Architects Inc. to return with a more detailed master plan. Commissioners expressed concerns regarding the signage and its effect on pedestrian and vehicular traffic on Broadway.

"The good thing is that they came to us in the conceptual phase before they finished the designs and can make the adjustments easily," Commissioner Eva Esquivel said. "Overall, I'm excited about seeing it completed because living in the inner city is always nice."

The project, previously known as Villaje del Rio, has sat uncompleted since late 2004, when original developer George Geis sued his general contractor, according to San Antonio Express-News reports.

A convoluted chain of legal events followed and ended with Colina Del Rio buying the loan for the site. Geis and Colina Del Rio are still in litigation over the title claim.

The Colina Del Rio partnership includes Ed Cross and David Adelman, president and vice president, respectively, of Cross & Co.

Adelman said he expects the roughly $30 million project to spur other new apartment construction in the downtown area.

"We're feeling very happy," Adelman said. "We think it will appeal to young professionals, college students and empty nesters."