SAN ANTONIO | Urban Core Development Thread

[arhavel]

It seems like Houston could shape really nicely into another vital downtown "stroll-district,' with ample shade and sidewalks -- just needs more of a residential backing now. I wish Houston Street Fair was still going on, though.

I like the Aloft addition too, but I feel that Houston St. is so charming in its regional architecture--the design for Aloft really isn't any different than any other might find around. I guess that's just a general complaint--that I wish chains would look at locale and architectural character more instead of following a set formula (that goes for the EMbassy Suites, too). Alas, more time and expenses.

And, yikes, those surface parking lots by the Bowie hotel are so dreadful!

Thanks for the update, great photos.

[JACKinBeantown]

Nice. I love the Kress building. Lots of nice things going on... the renovation of old buildings is key. They look great and retain the historic feel. And for those who would rather they be torn down and a tall new building put up, think of it this way: they make land more scarce and therefore new buildings are forced to go tall instead of wide.

[ooo0mercury0ooo]

I saw a new crane up in downtown yesterday. It's near the justice center. Anybody have any idea what that is?

[oldmanshirt]

Parking garage.

[ooo0mercury0ooo]

Originally Posted by oldmanshirt

Parking garage.

Thank you..

[JoninATX]

Tobin Endowment Commits $15 million
For Performing Arts Center Project:
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

SAN ANTONIO, June 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — The Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation today announced a $15 million challenge gift from The Tobin Endowment to lead the private-sector capital campaign which will supplement the $100 million approved by Bexar County voters in 2008 for the re-construction of Municipal Auditorium into a new performing arts center. In recognition of that lead gift, the new facility will be named The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/be...ingarts/42366/

[car2004]

Originally Posted by miaht82

Andres Andujar Vison for 2020:
http://media.mysanantonio.com/docume...f+Downtown.pdf

He makes "recommendations" of what the City should do. Moving CPS from their current location to open up RW space is a great idea. He mentions Vidorra phase II, the South Texas Builidng restoration, Neisner, Aloft, I mention these because I took photos a couple days ago.

Work on the Kress building. Not sure on the date for Texas de Brazil, but the undraped building already is an improvement to Houston St.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1258/...48f0c02b_b.jpg


Possible Extenday Stay Hotel at South Texas Building. I would've prefered apartments but the "extended stay" concept seems like it could be an easy conversion in the future.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1355/...4568a435_b.jpg


An Aloft sure would look nice next to the Maverick Apartments.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1313/...b0ed7120_b.jpg

from either side...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/...d070514e_b.jpg


I love what the Towneplace Suites does for Houston St. Good for re-use and how it seems to push the momentum up to Broadway. Now we just need to renovate the World Trade Center building (118 Broadway), Calcasieu Apartments, and Travelers Hotel.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/...e56bcf6b_b.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1074/...5d977b61_b.jpg


New Marriott on Bowie/Houston. It looks like they will have some meeting space on the first floor of the buldings... Perhaps that to compensate for their "lost" plans they had for the Rivercenter since they lost the lawsuit. I like that it made a parking lot disappear. Maybe once they're finished out, they'll add more to that area.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/...190c83e7_b.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/...190c83e7_b.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1191/...d1fd1223_b.jpg


New space at Rivercenter Mall. It used to be open to the Food Court.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/...4670e98968.jpg


Tgann, they're working on the new building for the Briscoe Museum.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1062/...2aaa120da3.jpg


A little out of DT, but here is the work being done at Cevallos Lofts.
I'm willing to bet that business at La Tuna is going to pick up.
It's a stones throw to Blue Star. Add 252 more units to the list. So since March of '09, (Vistana) we've added/are adding over 800+ "for rent" units in/near DT in 4 projects. Not bad. Oh yeah, and there is a waiting list for Vistana now.
BTW, work is also being done at Big Tex; they demo'd a few old buildings.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1392/...3ea7129e_b.jpg

Nice pictures!!!! In regard to someone that stated SA may not have much construction, but SA is updating is older buildings, I think post is proof of that. Downtown San Antonio, Texas is looking really nice! Cities should in fact fix the old and then move on to the new. It makes for a nice overall tone. I was in downtown San Antonio last July, and was shocked at how horrible looking the buildings had become since I was last there, but it seems like a lot has been done in just one year. I guess talk finally motivated them to fix the area up. Question: Why did they cover the Kress building? What was the purpose of that? I have seen other buildings do that, say, in New York City, but I never understood the purpose of putting a garbage-bag-looking thing over it.

[miaht82]

Originally Posted by car2004

Question: Why did they cover the Kress building? What was the purpose of that? I have seen other buildings do that, say, in New York City, but I never understood the purpose of putting a garbage-bag-looking thing over it.

To keep the falling pieces close.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Tobin Endowment Commits $15 million
For Performing Arts Center Project:
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/be...ingarts/42366/

Nice! The architectural style may be leftover from the 60's, but the plaza space is great and the fact that it's a cultural center between downtown and the "new midtown" is great. Another reason for people to move to the area.

[ydoc14]

Please ignore the bluriness...had to enlarge this cause the orignial pic was too small...new skyline shot w/ embassy suites, justice center, vidorra, & no tower life antenna

Taken by Jim Drought III @ Flickr

[arturo_pro]

I found this video!!

tallest buildings in San antonio's downtown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtU68NDBQIY

[ydoc14]

Originally Posted by arturo_pro

I found this video!!

tallest buildings in San antonio's downtown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtU68NDBQIY

that's funny..one of the pics of the Grand Hyatt in it is mine..they must've pulled it off Flickr....kinda cool video..except the person who made it isn't aware that the Marriott Rivercenter isn't really 546' and the roof height is actually shorter than the Weston Centre and the Grand Hyatt's mechanical penthouse

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Originally Posted by ydoc14

Please ignore the bluriness...had to enlarge this cause the orignial pic was too small...new skyline shot w/ embassy suites, justice center, vidorra, & no tower life antenna

Taken by Jim Drought III @ Flickr

nice

[miaht82]

Originally Posted by miaht82

Possible Extenday Stay Hotel at South Texas Building. I would've prefered apartments but the "extended stay" concept seems like it could be an easy conversion in the future.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1355/...4568a435_b.jpg

Well, it seems that the Central Trust Building/South Texas Building, will be one of Hilton's latest/newest brand, Home2Suites.
It will be one of three in the city; one at Med Center, and the other near SeaWorld/Lackland.

[Paul in S.A TX]

South Texas building has some existing residential.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Originally Posted by Paul in S.A TX

South Texas building has some existing residential.

I thought it was an office building?

[Paul in S.A TX]

Just a portion has residential.

[miaht82]

Originally Posted by Keep-SA-Lame

I thought it was an office building?

It was, and the plan was to convert it to condos, and now a hotel.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't have any residences in it. It is going to be a complete gut out.

and as if we needed to see it again, it looks like 1221 had permits granted last week. Hopefully we finally see some work started there.

[jaga185]

Originally Posted by miaht82

It was, and the plan was to convert it to condos, and now a hotel.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't have any residences in it. It is going to be a complete gut out.

and as if we needed to see it again, it looks like 1221 had permits granted last week. Hopefully we finally see some work started there.

RE: 1221, Finally some movement started there, can't wait.

[Lando]

Nice pics and updates. Thanks.