I found this article on the internet. It's a year old but gives some hope that an AT&T tower might be in the future.
• Real Estate Experts Anticipate AT&T and BellSouth Merger Will Generate Need in San Antonio
Monday, March 13 2006 @ 06:56 PM Central Standard Time
AT&T announced that they plan to acquire BellSouth Corporation. The deal is valued at $67 billion. The deal, according to Real Estate professionals, could bolster the market in San Antonio for more commercial space. The optimism is cautious, at this time. It’s too early to tell if it will bring new employees to the area.
AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp said, “It is too early to say anything.” This was in response to questions about expanding need for new space in downtown.
It is estimated that the merger would take a year to complete, once all the regulations are met. Still, given the presence in San Antonio, the outlook is good, real estate insiders say.
"I don't think anything is automatic just because of a merger," explained Kim Gatley, director of research for REOC Partners Ltd. "But it is reasonable to assume that, given AT&T's presence here, we'll see some expansion -- to what degree, I don't know yet."
If AT&T should begin needing more space, such a move could lead to the corporation building its own campus.
"There's always been noise to that effect," said REOC Senior Vice President Brian Harris.
The ‘noise’ however, hasn’t come from AT&T, it’s coming from the realtors.."I don't know anything of plans along those points," explained Sharp.
"The campus rumor, that's all it's been," Gatley explained. "I've never heard anything from anybody with decision-making clout talk about a campus or development. It's been speculation on everyone else's part. They enjoy being a downtown tenant. I can't point to any indicators that they would (move out of downtown)."
AT&T Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre has always been commited to downtown, said Albert McNeel. McNeel is a vice president of the local office of Trammell Crow Co.
McNeel pointed out, that the trend has been for AT&T to return space to the market, rather than new leases. He said, ” Who knows what the fall-out will be?"
AT&T is a big player on the market. They occupy much of the IBC Centre building, where they are headquartered.
AT&T and its employees occupy about 2 million square feet of space throughout the city. "Any major city is glad to have a major anchor, and San Antonio is fortunate to have them," said Gatley. "The merger only stands to benefit San Antonio."
"With this being the headquarters, the duplicated positions will likely be folded into San Antonio," Gatley explained.
There is cause for concern as well. The last time AT&T vamped down their leased space, it was a blow to the local market.
"They are such a major player, if they contract or expand, the market tends to feel that," said Gatley.
San Antonio's tenant base is more diverse than in the past. The city may see new major financial institutions such as Washington Mutual and World Savings..
Whitacre has announced his plan to stay on as the head of AT&T until 2008. He’s not expected to leave San Antonio. "He likes being the big fish in a small pond," McNeel reported.. "Now, he's the biggest fish."
Patricia Fuller
Real Estate Press
http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=20060313185634872
Prev
and ugly 
as the Marriott.
Hybrid Mode