SAN ANTONIO | Suburban and Metro Development Thread

[miaht82]

They look like beach timeshares you'd find in Cen. America. Maybe they're planning a fake beach once MM abandons the quarry near the Rim.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Originally Posted by miaht82

They look like beach timeshares you'd find in Cen. America.

That's exactly what I thought

[tgannaway89]

Five Guys Burgers & Fries is opening a location at La Cantera.

[miaht82]

Originally Posted by tgannaway89

Five Guys Burgers & Fries is opening a location at La Cantera.

Where exactly? Is it full serv or just at the food court.
I love 5guys. Thats one of the things I missed from NoVA until they opened up the one at Quarry.

The only new one I see on the site is Sonterra near Costco/Walmart.

[sirkingwilliam]

Five Guys are starting to pop up everywhere in SA now.

One is opening up on the west side on the frontage of 151 just south of Ingram Road.

[tgannaway89]

Originally Posted by miaht82

Where exactly? Is it full serv or just at the food court.
I love 5guys. Thats one of the things I missed from NoVA until they opened up the one at Quarry.

The only new one I see on the site is Sonterra near Costco/Walmart.

Not sure I noticed they are hiring for a new store at The Shops at La Cantera.

[Boquillas]

Went to Five Guys last week with the girlfriend. It was fine I suppose, but it didn't do anything to separate itself from Chester's, Chris Madrid's, Bobby J's, the Cove, GBC or Sam's, and those are all locally-owned burger places. I've pretty much stopped supporting chains entirely, except where no other options exist. Since so many independently-owned food options exist in SA, I can't see any reason to eat at chains, even if they do "put us on the map." Nobody raves about New York's great chain restaurants.

My other "beef" with Five Guys: if you're going to have a '50s-style, tiled-out red and white checkerboard decor burger place with paper bags, fries in cups, etc, you damn well better sell malts and shakes. A '50s-style burger place without milkshakes is is a weird business model. Just sayin'.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Originally Posted by Boquillas

Went to Five Guys last week with the girlfriend. It was fine I suppose, but it didn't do anything to separate itself from Chester's, Chris Madrid's, Bobby J's, the Cove, GBC or Sam's, and those are all locally-owned burger places.

agreed

[miaht82]

It was never meant to be milkshake kinda place. The decor just happened to be what was left over at the first location when they opened up a burger place in an old pizza place. They just continued the look into other locations for uniformity (like Taqueria orange) and franchising purposes. Up until 2002, they had 6 locations only in the DC area. Now they have over 500 across the US. Maybe not to you two, but they're obviously seperating themselves enough to other people.

It's the same thing everywhere though. I miss the local spots (in DC) too. But when people leave SA, they miss Timbo's, Sam's or Chester's, but they also talk about missing Whataburger, Jack in the Box, or TC (just to name a few you can't get in DC) especially when drive-thru after midnight is the only option.

[miaht82]

Originally Posted by tgannaway89

Sardar Biglari, local billionaire investor, purchased 23 acres on I-10 abutting Leon Creek and surrounded by The Rim development. He received a flood plain variation earlier this month on the land that is zone C3. Any idea what the plan for this land is?

No more details, but did find this bit of information.
From his 2007 Western Sizzlin Chairman Letter to Investors:

Western Real Estate
Western purchased 23.5 acres of land in San Antonio through Western Real
Estate, L.P. on December 13, 2007 for $3.75 million. The property is near an 800-acre
mixed-use development, The Rim, in one of the most robust and fastest growing areas of
the city. We knew that all 23.5 acres were not usable, but after the due diligence we
received reliable data and was in a position to offer a price and close on the transaction
expeditiously. The price was favorable in relation to the property’s potential usability.
We received attractive financing from our friends at Wachovia Bank. They have
provided a $2.6 million note at prime minus 50 basis points, which at the date of this
letter stood at 4.5%. We are delighted with the after-tax carrying cost of around 2.8%.
Thus far, we have not accepted outside money for Western Real Estate, L.P. although
certain parties remain interested.
The entitlement process began as soon as we purchased the property; of course,
this process will increase our costs but eventually should lead to sufficient cash flows
when compared to our total investment. There is value in converting non-income
producing real estate to one that is producing. With many of our investments,
but particularly with real estate development, it pays to follow Benjamin Franklin’s advice:
“He that can have patience can have what he will.”

[WorldTexas]

NuStar is moving forward with its new HQ at the Rim. It sounds like they're trying to be environmentally sensitive at the site.

While this is another win for the area, I can't help but wonder what/if the city is doing to entice business to move downtown.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/loc...uction_on_corporate_campus_93727869.html

[sakyle04]

Originally Posted by WorldTexas

NuStar is moving forward with its new HQ at the Rim. It sounds like they're trying to be environmentally sensitive at the site.

While this is another win for the area, I can't help but wonder what/if the city is doing to entice business to move downtown.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/loc...uction_on_corporate_campus_93727869.html

Like the old saying "Retail follows rooftops" so it goes with corporate HQs... Most of the execs live in the Dominion, so this makes a nice coup for them on the commuting side.

When River North is built out and inner city (midtown) hoods have been more fully revitalized (5 points, deco district, dignowity), you'll see the shift back. But it'll be 20 years or so...

The NuStar plan includes a second building from what I've seen, btw... It'll just be in a later phase.

[miaht82]

Businesses are always last to move in and that is the same for downtown. If the private market continues to focus on the urban entertainment factor, rental market/affordability (we seem to be getting a 2-for-1 there,) and we build up the density; for sale housing will follow, and like sakyle04 said, retail follows rooftops and then the businesses will follow.

Not quite sure what the city has done or what they can do, but I think we will be in for a few more "disappointments" (w/ tons of space available along I-10 and space at Landmark) before we see a major move into DT. However, there are some employers that are continuously hiring DT and that will help some in the meantime.

[adtobias]

People are getting tired of the commute and traffic

[UTSABA06]

Has anyone heard any news on The Joshua Building? They still have the sign and picture up on the empty lot next to Marriott on Loop 410 & I10. Sure would be nice addition if it gets built.

[SAguy]

Originally Posted by UTSABA06

Has anyone heard any news on The Joshua Building? They still have the sign and picture up on the empty lot next to Marriott on Loop 410 & I10. Sure would be nice addition if it gets built.

Last emailed I recd a couple of months ago is that it's still in the works.

[UTSABA06]

Thanks for the information! Hope we hear something more soon!

[car2004]

Originally Posted by SAguy

Last emailed I recd a couple of months ago is that it's still in the works.

Believe it or not I just saw that sign and was wondering, if that real? Looks sort of futuristic. How tall might this one be, if built?

[UTSABA06]

Not sure on the height but it looks to be significantly taller than the Marriott next to the lot. It would look great there and give that are more density.

[Lando]

Here are some quick drive by pics I took earlier this evening in the Med Center.

All pics taken by me






Not the best pic but they're still working on the foundation for the garage.