[jaga185]

I 2nd that

[texboy]

I will be MORE than happy to do that. I just am a tad unclear on which Construction projects thread you are talking about. If you could tell me where that is in the website, I will start that up!

[jaga185]

its in the sub-forums of projects and construction, such as this one entitled, construction progress threads, or something like that

[jaga185]

Well the first downtown OFFICE development in quite some time, has been announced.

San Antonio Business Journal

Downtown building being eyed for office-condo make-over
Tricia Lynn Silva

San Antonio native Hans Lindberg has a plan to take what is now a tired downtown office building and turn it into the first commercial condominium development for downtown San Antonio.

Lindberg is the managing partner behind 425 Soledad Ltd., the investment group that recently purchased the office property at 425 Soledad from New York-based financial services firm Morgan Stanley. Lindberg's plan: To open up the building to office users who want to own their space.

This office-condominium concept has already been rolled out in other parts of the city. But Lindberg is the first to bring this concept to downtown San Antonio, notes David Ballard, who is the vice president of the San Antonio office of Stream Realty Partners LP.

Stream, which is headquartered in Dallas, is handling office sales and property management for the Soledad project.

The 65,800-square-foot building is currently 30 percent occupied, Ballard adds.

A lawyer and certified public accountant (CPA) by trade, Lindberg has performed the due diligence for several real estate transactions. Asked why he opted for a downtown property for his first real estate investment, Lindberg says that things simply fell in place.

Although Lindberg declined to divulge a specific amount, he says that the partnership will be spending several million dollars to rehab the building -- starting with plans to completely gut the inside of the property. The demolition work is scheduled to begin soon.

"The first thing we are going to do is clean house," says Lindberg, who says that over the years the building has become an outdated eyesore.

Updates to the building will include a new HVAC system -- and a sprinkler system, something that isn't even incorporated in the building at this point. The lobby will be decked out with marble floors and several water features.

Says Ballard: "It's going to have high-end, Class-A-type finishes."

The building will also be brought up to standards set out by the American with Disabilities Act, he adds.

Take it home
The downtown office market is also in need of a boost, so fresh ideas like an office-condo project seem a good fit, Lindberg says. According to the most recent office-leasing report from local firm REOC Partners Ltd., the downtown office market had a vacancy rate of 21.4 percent as of March 31.

"I know it is a big risk," Lindberg says. "But at the end of the day, I believe it will be a good risk to take."

"This building has been off of the radar screen for a long time," adds Ballard. "We saw an opportunity and took advantage of it."

The building consists of eight stories, plus a basement. The floorplates measure 8,609 square feet -- which has made the project ideal for tenants wanting to own an entire story. To date, three floors have been purchased and negotiations are pending on another three, Ballard says.

Broadway Bank, which occupies the first floor of the building, will stay on as a tenant, he adds.

"It's all happening very fast; we've been encouraged by the response," says Lindberg, who adds that he expects that the project will be completely sold off by the time it is re-introduced to the market next spring.

Meanwhile, factors such as low interest rates and the opportunity for a company to acquire its own space help to fuel the desire for office condos, Ballard says.

"It's the idea of being able to control your own destiny, to control your facilities costs and to have a return investment," adds Michael E. Reyna, who is the president of locally based TC Austin Properties. The firm, in partnership with Laredo-based Alfra Development, is developing an office-condo community in North San Antonio called The Park.

"The way many business owners look at it (is that) 'I invest in my company, I might as well invest in the real estate, too,' " Reyna says.

In the past, companies looking to be downtown had only a few choices, Reyna explains. They could either lease their space or buy a larger office building.

"I feel confident that this is a concept (office-condos) that people will grasp easily," says Lindberg, who adds that he liked the idea of taking a tired building and creating something new for the downtown office market. "It's time to take this building home."

[texboy]

one question, where did the official Hyatt San Antonio Convention Center Construction thread go? The projects and constrution main thread seems to have disappeared!

[jaga185]

it went to highrises, look for it boy!

i see you found it

[starvinggryphon]

^^^
425 Soledad........isn't that the butt-ugly mid-rise building across from the Crowne Plaza hotel? Ughh....they should just tear the bitch down and build something worthy in it's place.

[jaga185]

...they should just tear the bitch down and build something worthy in it's place.

LMAO, thats got to be one the most daring thing someone has said about the architecture of San Antonio even if you are from here, do you have a picture of it?

[jaga185]

- Dillards Lofts. 62 Condos are planned to go in over the Dillards department store downtown. (This one may be stale at the moment, bc the mall has new owners)


This has been canceled due to new owndership, they are not looking into it at all I believe, the entire 4-5 page report is under BizJournals, the magazine article.

[JACKinNYC]

Hey SA guys... the San Antonio pages needs quite a few diagrams.
http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?c98

[texboy]

yea, ive been saying that for quite a while now....diagrams and pictures?

First off how do you do the drawing for the diagram? Secondly how do you get it on there, and finally how do you get pictures to be put into the gallery?

[starvinggryphon]

This is the building in question:

http://www.broadwaybank.com/Media/Downtown_new.jpg

If you stomach still hasn't turned drive by there and look at it from the side and see how it spoils the view of everything around it.

[JACKinNYC]

Yeah, that's a piece of shit.

[texboy]

well jumping off topic here for a sec, I thought this was a good article. Its about time SA's airport catch up with the rest of the city!

David Hendricks: Getting there from here — nonstop — grows easier all the time
Web Posted: 07/20/2005 12:00 AM CDT


San Antonio Express-News


The old saying that you can't get to heaven from San Antonio except through Dallas or Houston doesn't apply anymore.

With three new nonstop flights added in the past few months, San Antonio now has nonstop service to 28 U.S. and Mexico airports in 26 cities.

San Antonio International Airport also has same-airplane service — involving one or two stops — to 61 markets.

These numbers improved recently when Frontier Airlines began nonstop service to Denver. United Airlines recently added a nonstop flight to San Francisco, and Delta Airlines started a nonstop to Orlando.

Still, San Antonio tourism and economic officials continue to press for more nonstops and same-plane destinations because of the slump in convention bookings for 2007.

Attracting additional nonstop and same-plane routes will mean more conventions and more business activity for San Antonio, said Marco Barros, executive director of the San Antonio Area Tourism Council.

The top three factors meeting planners consider when booking convention centers are hotel rates, availability of nonstop and same-plane flights, and the proximity of the airport to the convention center.

San Antonio scores relatively well on hotel rates, and the Convention Center is only 10 miles from the airport. The biggest challenge, therefore, is adding more direct flights.

The existence or absence of direct flights is not such a big factor when it comes to convention visitors. They usually travel wherever the convention is slated. The critical factor, Barros said, is convincing the meeting planners.

Looking at the accompanying list of nonstop destinations, several stand out in importance to San Antonio's economy.

San Antonio's business community never fought harder than it did in the 1990s for a direct flight to a New York City airport. Continental Airlines took a chance with a nonstop between San Antonio and its Newark, N.J., hub. Passenger volume has been consistently high enough that the route still operates with twice-a-day flights.

Delta offers same-plane, one-stop service through Atlanta to Newark, and Northwest flies to LaGuardia via Memphis.

Nonstop flights to Cincinnati are vital these days, as that's the airport nearest Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. headquarters.

The 20 nonstop and same-plane San Antonio-Mexico City flights weekly prove how important Mexico is to the South Texas economy.

What's still missing, despite years of efforts, is a nonstop flight to Washington's Reagan National or Dulles airport. Such a route would make flying easier for the high volume of travelers involved in San Antonio's federal contracting industry. And many national associations that hold conventions are in the Washington area.

But Reagan's limited number of gates makes gaining a route there next to impossible.

The best nonstop option for San Antonio-Washington remains Southwest Airlines' nonstop service to Baltimore. Midwest, however, does have a same-plane route to Reagan National, stopping in Kansas City.

The capacity of San Antonio International Airport is another factor in adding more nonstop flights. Last year, the airport landed on a list of airports nearing capacity.

A $426 million expansion project through 2011 will help avoid congestion. The expansion includes more gates, an additional parking garage and longer runways.

The older Terminal 2 will be demolished at some point, making way for two new terminals. The newer Terminal 1 will be redesigned Terminal A. The new Terminal B on the site of the old Terminal 2 will have seven gates. The planned Terminal C will be built in phases, first with five gates, then six more.

One commercial airline runway will be lengthened, said Barbara Prossen, assistant to the city aviation director. The general aviation runway will be rebuilt and lengthened to serve both general aviation and commercial airlines.

Denver-based Frontier studied the San Antonio market for four years before jumping in. "The 80 percent passenger loads the first two weeks showed them they were right," Barros said. He added that Frontier is considering a San Antonio-Cancun route.

Having recently attracted Frontier Airlines, the city has another carrier airline in its sights. The tourism council has invited a top JetBlue Airways executive to speak at the council's 10th anniversary banquet in mid-September, Barros said.

JetBlue, an expanding airline based in New York, would boost airline access to numerous East Coast destinations if it started service here.

It won't be a secret that JetBlue will be lobbied to add San Antonio. The executive will be given plenty of information about the San Antonio market to take back to JetBlue Chief Executive David Neeleman.

What JetBlue officials will see is a growing city and airport with room for more business.

[jaga185]

Good news for the airport!

And yeah, that monstrosity needs to get the bulldozer, it's ugly, and nicer 8 story building can go in its place, and who knows, if the market goes well for this building, maybe a new project can go up, because right now all it is, is just hotel' s residential make-overs, escept for our 32 story friend still in the planning process.

[SayTownboy]

Having recently attracted Frontier Airlines, the city has another carrier airline in its sights. The tourism council has invited a top JetBlue Airways executive to speak at the council's 10th anniversary banquet in mid-September, Barros said.

JetBlue, an expanding airline based in New York, would boost airline access to numerous East Coast destinations if it started service here.

It won't be a secret that JetBlue will be lobbied to add San Antonio. The executive will be given plenty of information about the San Antonio market to take back to JetBlue Chief Executive David Neeleman.

What JetBlue officials will see is a growing city and airport with room for more business.

Yes!

[texboy]

Yea, having Jetblue on the roster would most DEFINETLY be a plus! Man oh man, the amount of planes flying over my house these days is amazing. Its good to see SAT getting its pre 9/11 flights back and then some!

[texboy]

This sounds really interesting! I will be anxious to see the final result!

Developer has West Coast office-condo idea for S.A.
Web Posted: 07/22/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Adolfo Pesquera
Express-News business writer

The first time developer George Atallah walked through gently sloping hills in a forest of great Texas live oaks and across a creek to stand on a hill and view the surrounding 111/2 acres, all he had to say was, "That's it. It's perfect."

Across Interstate 10 from George Strait's house at The Dominion will be One Dominion Place, a 23-building high-end business park unlike any in San Antonio. It's designed to look like a residential extension of The Dominion and to be so pleasant that the boss can leave for home by walking upstairs.

"You have a parklike setting with temporary lodging above your office," said Atallah, the developer who bought this former Hill Country cow pasture. "You'll have a jogging trail around the creek, a gym, clubhouse and conference room."

The "office condominium" concept, with businesses owning their space instead of leasing, has been in vogue lately. In the past three years, almost a dozen such projects have been started or are about to break ground. But none are like Atallah's. About half of this 180,000-square-foot project will be office condominiums.

The second floor of each Mediterranean-style building is being marketed as a residence for temporary lodging of executives and guests of the ground-level business. In addition, Atallah is reserving 30,000 square feet of buildings facing the I-10 access road for a bank, Italian restaurant and retailers.

The biggest challenge has been saving as many of the site's 300 oak, pecan and cedar trees as possible. Engineers at Carter Burgess and architect Laura Vanoni came up with a meandering master plan that places buildings in every direction to wedge them between stands of trees and fit the flatter contours of the slopes.

Project manager Jim De La Garza estimates the design will save close to 90 percent of the trees. City planners worked with the design, providing a waiver to the city parking requirements to save trees.

"A project of this size would've required 600 parking spaces," De La Garza said. "We cut that by almost 200."

Advance sales have gone well. Five building sites have been sold, and construction will begin next month. Costs are estimated at $150 a square foot, or about $300,000 for a 2,000-square-foot building.

Christopher Felán, a real estate developer for Houston-based Press Investments, sold the land to Atallah after obtaining the office zoning. Felán then bought a site at the park so he could live above his office during the week. He travels home to Houston on weekends.

Phyllis Browning Co., the real estate brokerage known for handling high-end homes, is aggressively marketing One Dominion Place in Mexico and California. It's also getting national exposure through the Christie's Great Estates publication, said agent Diane Motz.

The concept of office condominiums with residential second floors in a park setting is unique for San Antonio, but it is popular on the West Coast. Atallah did such projects in the San Francisco Bay area before moving to San Antonio in 1995.

Until now, Atallah's real estate projects have been small high-end residential communities and strip centers. But when the office market showed signs of a rebound, he began his search for an appropriate site.

He expects to complete the clubhouse and the retail locations this fall and the entire project within two years.

Atallah, who is also a mortgage broker, runs Concord Funding & Investments Inc., which will relocate to One Dominion Place. Among the other businesses planning to open offices are custom homebuilder Ocean 2 Ocean and TransWorld Leasing, De La Garza said.

The land farthest back, where the elevation is highest, is reserved for their most exclusive residents. Atallah said he isn't pushing it. He doesn't need to, given the interest.

"That's our millionaires' row," De La Garza said. "A couple of our clients looking at that have assets of $100 million."

[jaga185]

I don't know if I like this one, it may be a great idea, and definately new to SA, but its bit ways off from the city, is the Dominion even in San Antonio? Anyway, I also heard that World Savings is putting a regional headquarters here also, I was told it was annouced on the new last thursday, but I could be wrong, I will try and find more information on it.

[SayTownboy]

There are three "office condo" developments currently U/C downtown. So I'm not bothered with one being across from the Dominion.

[jaga185]

There are three? I only heard of one, which three?

[texboy]

Yea, world savings is setting up shop here. I will look for more info on that.

[SayTownboy]

There are three? I only heard of one, which three?

I was wrong. It's two downtown with a bunch of others going up on the north side.

-----------------------------------------------------------


Office condos revive market

Adolfo Pesquera
Express-News Business Writer

The trend toward buying office space instead of leasing it is recharging the once-sluggish office construction market.

The "office condominium" concept was novel three years ago, said Michael Reyna, president of commercial developer TC Austin Properties. Today, developers are starting projects all over town.

Reyna tested the concept on a small scale back when the recession was keeping most companies from venturing into office construction. This year Reyna is breaking ground on two business parks and has plans for two more in 2006.

"This trend is happening and it's getting stronger," Reyna said, "so we're taking positions around San Antonio."

In Encino Commons just east of Stone Oak, TC Austin Properties is starting La Fontana Business Park, an 80,000-square-foot project encompassing 18 buildings. Buyers can purchase space in increments of 2,000 to 4,000 square feet at $180 per square foot.

Reyna got behind the idea when he realized he wasn't practicing on the commercial side what he preached in the company's residential division: "Why lease when you can buy?"

"I looked at how much I've paid to lease office space," Reyna said. "In 15 years, I've spent about $900,000. I could've bought a beautiful office building for that."

Buying a stake in an office park isn't for everyone. Companies prone to rapid contractions and expansions are usually better off leasing, he said, but small businesses that have fixed staffing levels can benefit from ownership.

The customer mix is generally professionals who want an asset they can turn a profit on should they decide to move or retire, but they get the advantage of sharing maintenance, insurance and tax costs with the other owners.

Reyna breaks ground next week on Huebner Oaks Office Centre, a 35-building, 75,000-square-foot development near Huebner Road and Northwest Military Highway. Investors can purchase office spaces as small as 1,500 square feet.

"We've sold buildings just off the plans; about 15,000 square feet is sold," Reyna said. Construction is expected to be complete in six months.

TC Austin Properties has land under contract in Stone Oak and in the Bandera Road/Loop 1604 area to start projects in 2006.

Another office condo pioneer, Steve Huffman of Huffman Developments, tried the concept because his cousin and partner had been having success with it in Dallas for years.

"San Antonio is just getting into the game," said Jim Ploetz, Huffman's marketing director. "Dallas is about five years ahead of us."

Huffman bought land in Stone Oak in 2003 and completed its first business park, the 15,000-square-foot first phase of Villages on Sonterra, late last year.

"Units can be as small as 2,000 square feet," Ploetz said, and each interior is customized to suit the client's needs.

Their phase one project on Sonterra Boulevard is completely sold, and phase two — which opens later this year — is 90 percent pre-sold, Ploetz said. A second business park is under construction in the South Texas Medical Center.

As Huffman and Reyna target the suburbs, other developers are testing the downtown area. Broadway Developments Ltd. is constructing The Courtyard at Brackenridge Park, two four-story luxury office buildings totaling 43,000 square feet.

Attorney Hans Lindberg took on the challenge of converting an old downtown office tower with nine floors. When Morgan Stanley purchased the Adam's Mark Hotel and converted it into a Crowne Plaza Hotel, part of the deal was Soledad Plaza West, the building across the street.

Morgan Stanley didn't want the office building, and the main tenant, Rackspace Managed Hosting, already had plans to relocate. The building immediately went back on the market and Lindberg saw a golden opportunity.

"Basically, what I do is determine whether a business venture is going to be financially viable," said Lindberg, who specializes in due-diligence consulting. "Through that, I see a lot of business deals. This one was too interesting to not partake of."

Getting funding was tough because of the unusual idea, but Lindberg found a willing source in Lone Star Bank. The project entails a major renovation of the lobby and air control system, but Lindberg estimates that his total costs amount to about $17 per square foot for a bare space.

"That's below what leases are downtown," he said.

Since the building was acquired at the end of June, Lindberg has sold three floors and has another three under contract.

"I think we're going to have it sold out within the next four months," Lindberg said. "We're going to have all reconstruction done within six months."

This was Lindberg's first real estate development venture, but he's surprised about how well it's gone. "It's kind of shocking, really. Seeing this thing come together has just been so much fun."

[DerekfrmSA]

Wicked thread guys!

I haven't been around lately but its awesome to know what's happening,

[texboy]

This Hotel is being compared to a Ritz-Carlton! NICE!

The West Paces Hotel Group Unveils Solis Hotels and Resorts: Today's Luxury Experience Redefined
Wednesday July 27, 6:00 am ET
New Brand Charts U.S. and International Development; Premiere Properties Planned for Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, San Antonio and Frankfurt, Germany


NEW YORK, July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Paces Hotel Group LLC has announced the introduction of Solis Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hotel and resort brand. Through unparalleled designs, settings and experiences, the brand reflects a new perspective of luxury based on input from world travelers and guests.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050727/CGW015-a


http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050727/CGW015-b )

The premier Solis properties signify the genesis of a brand poised for sustainable growth through distinct designs and unparalleled customer service standards. Solis properties are currently planned for development in Phoenix (Paradise Valley), Atlanta (Alpharetta), Chicago, Orlando, San Antonio and Frankfurt, Germany.

"Solis Hotels and Resorts will embody a core philosophy of exceptional and caring service," remarked Horst Schulze, CEO of The West Paces Hotel Group. "We have uncovered significant major shifts by listening to today's upscale travelers which indicated to us a significant opportunity for creating a new hotel and resort product. The Solis brand was developed to provide our guests with a distinctive experience and a sense of place, while surrounding them with impeccable service."

Carefully crafted to appeal to discerning, well-traveled guests, the Solis concept was developed by an expert team of hospitality leaders. The Solis brand responds to key findings from guests' insights, and offers a new theory on luxury as defined by today's upscale travelers, to surpass the experience found in today's conventional upscale hotels. Providing guests with superior customer service, spectacular surroundings, exquisite dining options, unique designs and memorable experiences, each Solis property will offer luxury accommodations with a true sense of discovery, showcasing the distinctive character of its environment.

"The vision behind the Solis brand and the strength of The West Paces Hotel Group's management team represent an excellent opportunity," added M. Douglas Ivester, strategic investment partner with The West Paces Hotel Group, and former chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. With its first phase of properties representing more than $700 million in hotel and associated residential development costs, this preliminary investment marks the inception of a growing venture.

By design, Solis properties will be set in special environments, ranging from luxury resort retreats amid prized desert, mountain or ocean-front panoramas, or comfortable hotels in urban enclaves. Distinguished by experiences that engage guests with world-class facilities, customized service and amenities, Solis properties will provide exceptional gourmet restaurants and state-of-the-art spas and offer such spirited activities as archeology expeditions to off-the-beaten-path shopping, arts and culinary experiences.

The Solis Hotels and Resorts brand will premiere its resort portfolio with Montelucia - A Solis Resort & Spa (slated to open mid-2007), an Andalucian-style property located in Paradise Valley, Arizona (Phoenix/Scottsdale area), with 277 hotel rooms, casitas and suites, plus 34 villas available for permanent or vacation homeownership. Montelucia will reflect Old World southern Spain, and feature distinctive restaurants, a luxury spa facility designed by Sylvia Sepielli, boutique shopping, and ballroom, meeting and extensive wedding facilities.

Solis Hotel Chicago, a quintessential urban hotel property featuring dynamic skyline and river views, will offer 454 luxury guestrooms and suites, a signature restaurant, world-class fitness and spa facilities, and conference and meeting space. As a conversion of an existing hotel, this property is slated to re-open under the Solis brand and management in late Spring 2006. The property is located on Wacker Drive, one block west of Michigan Avenue.

The Stanbury, A Solis Hotel & Spa in Atlanta (Alpharetta, Georgia) is slated to open in late 2007 as a mixed-use property combining a 144-room boutique hotel with a world-class spa, luxury residences, a signature restaurant, meeting and banquet facilities, and space for office, entertainment and retail use.

Solis Resort & Spa, Orlando is slated to open in early 2008, and will reflect a timeless contemporary design with a world-class restaurant, spa, and meeting and banquet space. With 300 guestrooms (including 60 suites), the property will feature an extraordinary pool and water features, surrounded by exquisite landscaping. The property is located adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center.

Solis Hotel, San Antonio, a 150-room hotel designed to reflect the distinctive architectural elements of Mexico, is set to open in late 2007. Located near Dominion in South Central Texas, the property features a spa and fitness center, a signature restaurant with a large outdoor bar and lounge area, and world-class meeting and banquet space.

Solis Hotel, Frankfurt (Germany), a 348-room hotel, comprises a full block of urban redevelopment in the city's crossroads of famed cultural attractions, including the nearby Museum Mile. Envisioned to open by summer 2007, the property will feature a full-service spa, a gourmet restaurant and other dining options, and a selection of meeting and ballroom space.

The West Paces Hotel Group was founded by Horst Schulze, former president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, along with several former Ritz-Carlton executives to create and operate branded hotels in several distinctive market segments. The principals of the company leverage unparalleled hospitality experience and a diverse track record of operating world-class hotels and resorts. The group's mission is to create value through superior service at luxury, world-class properties and conference centers in gateway cities and high-profile resort destinations around the world. The West Paces Hotel Group LLC currently manages properties and initiatives, including L'Auberge de Sedona (Sedona, Arizona); The Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center (Auburn, Alabama); and Hotel Avandaro Golf & Spa (Valle de Bravo, Mexico). The group will officially manage Partridge Inn (Augusta, Georgia) beginning in August 2005, and The Parkhotel (Euskirchen, Germany) in September 2005, scheduled to open later this year. For further information on The West Paces Hotel Group, visit http://www.westpaceshotels.com .

[texboy]

Im just adding to the Airport article a few posts up. American is adding a direct flight to Los Angeles now!

NEW: American adds nonstop S.A. to L.A. flight
Web Posted: 07/27/2005 04:29 PM CDT

Meena Thiruvengadam
Express-News Business Writer

San Antonio International Airport has added another nonstop flight between the Alamo City and the West Coast.

On Oct. 30, American Airlines will begin direct service between San Antonio and Los Angeles International Airport.

“We were seeing a lot of traffic from San Antonio flowing through our D-FW hub to L.A. and back,” American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said. “The next logical step for us was to introduce a nonstop flight.”

Every day, American Airlines flight No. 2493 will leave San Antonio at 7:40 a.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 8:45 a.m. A return flight, No. 2794, will depart Los Angeles at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in San Antonio at 2:21 p.m.

“We're optimistic about this route,” Smith said. “We're going to start with one flight and see how it goes. No promises, but we're hoping it will grow into more flights.”

Two other airlines, Southwest and United Express, already offer direct flights between the two airports.

Southwest has an 11:55 a.m. flight from San Antonio to Los Angeles and a 1:15 p.m. flight from Los Angeles to San Antonio. United Express, which began direct service to Los Angeles in April, has a 4:05 p.m. flight from San Antonio to Los Angeles and a 6:10 p.m. flight from Los Angeles to San Antonio.

“As the number of passengers flying continues to jump, we're going to see more airlines offering services like direct flights as long as the demand is there,” airport spokesman David Hebert said. “It's what the passengers want.”

Passengers already can fly direct from San Antonio to 28 airports in 26 cities across the U.S. and in Mexico.

“People don't want to spend part of their day waiting for a second plane to take off,” Hebert said. “They like the convenience of getting on one plane and stepping off at their destination.”

[DerekfrmSA]

That new resort sounds really nice!

[jaga185]

I'm posting from Austin right now, and all I can say is that being here and being there in San Antonio, you can just feel the difference. The projects going up here are just amazing. The building with Whole Foods in it is just beautiful. But anyway, I feel as though San Antonio is losing is place as the city in Texas that has the most options in downtown living. The condo units in Austin are just incredible, there is nothing of this kind in San Antonio, and we can only hope that the 32 story building we have on the drawing board can compete with prices and luxury such as here in Austin. I can see why some people just love it here, granted traffic is a nightmare, but it still has its charm. The one project that reminds me of things going on here is Big Tex Grain, it it's just like some of the apartments I see everywhere around the downtown area. Ok, I am done paying respects to Austin, my two cents have been said.

[DerekfrmSA]

I feel as though San Antonio is losing is place as the city in Texas that has the most options in downtown living.

We had a place? I don't think SA was ever high up on the list for cities that had many options, until recently, for downtown living. Downtown has a large downtown population moreso because of the many homes outside of downtown "loop."

But recently and currently, SA has started getting the ball rolling. The cities in Texas for downtown housing are and will be Houston and Dallas for many years to come. San Antonio is a new born compared to those cities who are adults with kids.

We're getting there but in baby steps.

But the next 1-2 years will tell where we'll be going.

A lot of U/C, planned, proposed housing developments currently going on with more to come as the downtown market shows what it can do.

Housing in the downtown area right now is in its genesis. Beautiful and wonder things are to come.

And I love te step Mayor Hardberger took in making downtown a really liveable place. He proposed that the downtown stop lights be in sync in each direction. Going east all the stop lights will turn green at the same time and then turn yellow then red at the same time. The same for all directions downtown. It may not be major but its a subtle change that will improve the quality of life downtown.

[jaga185]

Yeah, Hardberger is a going to be a good mayor. But SA is up there, with downtown living, there is a lot of condos that I didn't even know about, and I'm still learning that, "this building here is..." you know that kind of stuff. My dad and I carry on long convo's about everything from, New York to London. So he always talks to me about things, and he works for this surveying company, so he can tap into all sorts of things. He is a pretty smart man, but he doesn't have the internet at home....oh well.

[DerekfrmSA]

I'm not saying we don't have anything, but 4-5 years ago, that may have been true.

The last few years, by what I meant recently, has been something in terms of downtown housing construction, the downtown area hasn't experienced ever. And it's just getting better.

In five years, downtown will look nothing like it does now from ground level, hell, even sky high.

So if I were you, I'd start snapping those pictures, so you can remember what it used to look like.

[texboy]

Hell, if I ever had the money, I would build a condo project in downtown! San Antonio is such an untapped market for that! Yer right, developers will start seeing people move into condos and then a ripple effect will begin!

[Paul in S.A TX]

San Antonio has 3 or 4 times more people living downtown than Austin or any Texas city.Downtown San Antonio is a place were you will find scores of converted historic buildings that are turned into lofts,condos, etc.


a few examples of converted historical buildings in the downtown area.

www.southtexasbuilding.com

http://www.southendlofts.net/

http://www.campstreet.net/

[jaga185]

But what I see now, where does it show the information for the residences downtown, where are the actual numbers. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing I know is that we have a large downtown pop., but we don't know the actual numbers to of how many people live down there. So we can't say, downtown as 3-4 times as many people, unless we can back it up.

[Paul in S.A TX]

The U.S Census ,Fannie Mae and the Brookings institute put downtown S.A @ 24,000 in 2002.Dallas and Houston had a mere 3 or 4 thousand.Austin was in the same ball park.I will look for the chart that I have posted before.I wouldn't doubt San Antonio being closer to 30,000 by now.I would expect the other texas cities to have increased as well.San ANtonio still way ahead.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Actually it would be 4 or 5 times more than the other Texas cities.

[Chicago3rd]

The U.S Census ,Fannie Mae and the Brookings institute put downtown S.A @ 24,000 in 2002.Dallas and Houston had a mere 3 or 4 thousand.Austin was in the same ball park.I will look for the chart that I have posted before.I wouldn't doubt San Antonio being closer to 30,000 by now.I would expect the other texas cities to have increased as well.San ANtonio still way ahead.

Notes from Fannie Mae:

http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org/programs/census_notes_3.shtml

San Antonio:

5.5 square miles downtown
4055 ppl per sq mile (note they lost 252 pple per sq mile between 1990-2000)

Houston:

1.8 square mile downtown
6676 ppl per sq mile (note they gained 2,727 ppl per sq mile between 1990-2000)

San Antonio uses a lot more land in their calculations for downtown.

San Antonio Dtwn lost 1,382 people 1999-2000
Houston Dtwn gained 4853 people 1999-2000

[Paul in S.A TX]

San Antonio has over 100,000 within 14 square miles district 1.San Antonio cbd clearly has more people living downtown.Other downtowns die at night but San Antonio's is lively into the late night and not only the weekend.

[Paul in S.A TX]

downtown San Antonio has built thousands of new housing since 2000.

[jaga185]

I don't think its thousands, but oh well. All I know is that San Antonio needs to build more condos downtown...bottom line, or we will continue to fall behind as Chicago3rd, I would say, factually put it.

[texboy]

I was talking to a friend of mine last night and he said something that made a whole lot of sense. He said that (in regards to Austin) that it seems like cities will go through a big growth spurt in the suburbs and then downtown will go through a growth spurt after that. He just said its kind of a cycle. That makes sense to me! Although Im not sure there was ever a time that San Antonio went through a downtown Condo growth Spurt, but I think this scenario is very true in terms of Austin. Im hoping this will be the same case for SA, bc we are beginning to see San Antonio explode.

[Chicago3rd]

downtown San Antonio has built thousands of new housing since 2000.

That is cool and I believe you. Just wanted to help put all things in prospective. To keep the conversation real....rather than unsusbstancuated comparisons. Thus the facts from the link I gave you.

San Antonio will be having one of the most kick ass downtowns.....in Texas. It is already living and vibrant...and now there is the move of people moving into the core! We do need to get a grocery store down there. I really think....since the 1980's when I use to view the city from the TofA....all they need is to get a grocery store downtown....and that would be such a huge catalyst.

[davinSA]

Chicago 3rd, I agree with you. San Antonio is a unique city with a very unique downtown. It is so historical and has so much ambience. None of these nothing but glass and concrete high rises that just looks like any other American city. San Antonio is different and it should stay that way. Downtown living in San Antonio is awesome! I am sure it will continue to grow. I have seen many old and historical buildings being remolded into condos. South Texas Bank Building, Neisner Building and the Old Frost Store Building just to name a few. So, San Antonio wants to keep its style and uniqueness and not be like any other US city. Hardberger knows this concept about S.A. He will do the city wonders.

[KevinFromTexas]

San Antonio doesn't have a grocery store downtown? I've walked pretty much every street in downtown San Antonio, but I didn't notice that. That's really surprising. There's atleast 1 other major one also and several smaller markets also. One at the Dobie, on 6th Street and Congress, then we have an Eckerds--sp? and a 7-11. And there's atleast 1 more convience store on the western side of downtown.

I think San Antonio definitely has the daytime and evening crowds. I think the thing with San Antonio is that when people go there they just figure that everyone they see walking around is a tourist. And some of the people clearly are, I mean 2 weeks ago when I was in downtown San Antonio walking around I had a family drive up and flag me down asking for directions to the Alamo. I gave them. But obiviously some of those people do live down there and of course work there.

My impression of San Antonio though is that not all of downtown is busy, touristy and vibrant. Particularly on the opposite side of downtown from the Alamo and the convention center. The areas around the Weston Centre, Bank of America Plaza, One Riverwalk Place, the Adams Mark Hotel, (Now called the Crown Plaza Hotel). That area is not busy. Those buildings are of course in use no doubt, but you don't see the heavy foot traffic, or for that matter auto traffic like you do on the other side of downtown near the Alamo and convention center. And the extreme far side of downtown from the convention center, near I-35, that area is really sleepy. There's a lot of parking lots and not much to do in the way of touristy stuff with shops and things. And there's even a few 10-story buildings that are completely vacant and boarded up. I have them listed at Skyscrapers.com, but can't remember off the top of my head their name. I took their pictures also. But the way I look at it is, those are just areas that havn't filled in "yet". A lot of those "gritty" vacant 10-story buildings would be great to be renovated and turned into residential. Every city has those places. Including Austin. Downtown San Antonio has HUGE potential. I have never been to a city that compete with the culture, the atmosphere of it's downtown, in touch with nature, the Riverwalk is the coolest place on the planet. I love walking through downtown for hours getting worn out, tired and hot then taking the Riverwalk back and being replinished by the plants and the water. I especially enjoy the Riverwalk because enjoy plants, growing things, gardening and landscaping working out in the yard. I get that from my dad. So walking a long the Riverwalk and seeing the same kind of plants that I have in our yard, only 3 to 4 times as big is pretty cool.

[DerekfrmSA]

San Antonio doesn't have a grocery store downtown?

There are lots of little grocery markets downtown, but no real bog box place like an HEB or whatever.

But I like that about downtown, mom and pop grocery stores beat big box anyday!

[Paul in S.A TX]

Not all are new construction but old historic building conversions like the the few examples that I linked.

[Paul in S.A TX]

What about the Handy Andy downtown on Presa .Did the chain close last year?

[jaga185]

maybe not last year, but it closed recently

[DerekfrmSA]

The Handy Andy near my house is now a La Fiesta.

[texboy]

This is good news for the business community in San Antonio! United Finally adds a flight to Washington Dulles!

San Antonio to Washington nonstop flight announced
Web Posted: 08/02/2005 12:00 AM CDT

David Hendricks
Express-News Business Writer

United Airlines announced Monday it will begin nonstop, daily roundtrip service between San Antonio and Washington Dulles International Airport on Oct. 31.

The service will be on United Express' CRJ-700 regional jet seating 70 passengers. The daily flight schedule and fares will be announced later this week, United Airlines spokesman Jeff Green said.

San Antonio economic development leaders hailed the news as a breakthrough, since a nonstop route to Washington has been a priority for the business and military communities since the 1990s.

"A nonstop to Washington, D.C., has been one of the highest transportation destination travel issues for literally a decade or more," said Joe Krier, president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

"Our members have repeatedly urged us to work on getting a nonstop to Washington, so the United Express announcement to Dulles is great news. We certainly will encourage the business community to take advantage of it, and we hope it is a great success," Krier said.

Green said the route was selected because of the company's market research. "We see a demand," Green said.

Krier said demand for the San Antonio-Washington nonstop flight will come from three categories.

Many military officials often travel on business to Washington but cannot travel on military aircraft. Numerous San Antonio businesses contract with the federal government and must fly to Washington often, and many of the national associations that hold conventions have headquarters in the Washington area.

A nonstop flight to Washington could lead to more meeting planners to schedule more conventions in San Antonio, not only because the association staffs will like the flight arrangements better but more speakers from Washington could be added to convention agendas, said Marco Barros, executive director of the San Antonio Area Tourism Council.

"The city Convention & Visitors Bureau will send e-mails to meeting planners to notify them of this new flight," Barros said. "They basically need six months to one year in advance. The sooner the better."

Krier said his chamber will work immediately with United to assure the flight's success.

"The first thing we'll do is get United's guy down here and get more information," Krier said. "We need to know what level of support is needed and what the test period is. Can we get a plane (eventually) with first-class service? Competitors will watch this route to see how well this does."

Green wouldn't speculate on that. "We constantly review our schedules and routes to make sure we're operating at the proper level of demand, but I cannot predict anything about future service," he said.

Barros said the more the San Antonio's business community supports the flight, the more airlines will support it with more flights and bigger aircraft. "We'll need passenger loads of 80 to 85 percent capacity on this first flight to start," he said.

According to United Airlines' Internet site, airline miles accumulated on United Express flights count toward United's Mileage Plus frequent flier program.

Krier said the chamber's long-term goal will be to get a flight into Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport, which is across the Potomac River from the capital city. Dulles airport is a little more than 20 miles west of Washington, D.C., near Reston, Va.

But Krier acknowledged that the Reagan airport's perimeter rule, which prohibits flights longer than 1,250 miles, remains a challenge. San Antonio is 1,381 miles away.

[starvinggryphon]

For the first time in my life I can now say that downtown is kickin' every weekend. I mean there have always been mad crowds but for the past few months, almost every bar and club downtown is brimming on the weekends and this summer it seems like it's a week-long thing. The best part is that most of the people supporting downtown are locals now. My only complaint is that everything seems to close at 2am. You should see the people spill out onto the streets of downtown at 2am looking for somewhere to go.....I see another untapped market.

[texboy]

Untapped is an understatement! lol bars stop serving alcohol at 2am in the state of Texas. Thats why.

[jaga185]

well I'm not old enough to get into clubs and bars, only 17 here, so lucky you guys that you get the full experiance! :(

[starvinggryphon]

So what is the latest on Piazza San Lorenzo.....is there a website? It seems like there is no news.....on anything recently. Hmmph......slow summer.

[DerekfrmSA]

So what is the latest on Piazza San Lorenzo.....is there a website? It seems like there is no news.....on anything recently. Hmmph......slow summer.

Raba recently/finally bought the three buildings that will now become Piazza San Lorenzo, that was the only hold up.

Construction should begin soon,

[texboy]

Hotel Contessa's timing favorable
Web Posted: 08/05/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Adolfo Pesquera
Express-News business writer

Some interruptions are a blessing.

Had the hotel that was once to be named Embassy Suites started construction as originally planned, its first anniversary in business would have been marred by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and its bookings dried up by the travel drought that followed.

Today, the timing is much better and the name is more appropriate. What is now the Hotel Contessa is, after all, on a bank of the San Antonio River in a former colonial possession of the Spanish crown.

Under construction since the spring — after delays caused by a dispute over an exclusivity deal — scaffolding still surrounds the project. Dust, wooden planks and a beehive of construction workers provide a shroud to a luxury hotel whose coming out is scheduled for early November.

Judging by its lobby alone, the 12-story hotel will be among the most impressive in the city.

Guests entering the terraced lobby at street level will have an immediate view across its expanse to the river. There are similarities to the Hyatt Regency with its interior water features and stories-high atrium. Down the stairs of the lobby to the river level, Hotel Contessa guests will arrive at a two-story waterfall graced with tall palm trees.

A skylight that spans more than 1,200 square feet beams natural light down 12 stories. Balcony terraces on each floor provide views down to the lobby.

Dave Lagarce of hotel management company Benchmark Hospitality International will be general manager.

"We have 28 hotels in our portfolio," Lagarce said. "This is the only one in San Antonio."

That exclusivity works for the owners now. But exclusivity obligations with the previous management company were a deal-breaker six years ago when Hixon Properties Inc., the developer, tried to go with the Embassy Suites Hotel chain.

The Embassy name, under control of Hilton Hotels Corp., caused a lawsuit with Palacio del Rio Ltd. The owner of the only downtown Hilton-managed property had enjoyed an exclusivity agreement dating to 1968 and wouldn't tolerate Hilton having dual loyalties with a newcomer just a few blocks down the river.

With the litigation behind it, Hixon joined forces with giant Houston developer Hines Interests. They own the property through Riverton Suites Ltd. and are building with a $30 million loan from Frost National Bank.

Benchmark's strategy for filling up the 265 rooms, all suites, is to market Hotel Contessa as a high-end locale for corporate meetings. There will be 10 state-of-the-art private meeting rooms totaling 10,000 square feet for executive sessions.

Lagarce is quoting room rates between $129 and $289 per night. Amenities include a river-level bar, a restaurant featuring rotisseried meats and other Spanish cuisine, a rooftop pool and a spa.

Hotel Contessa also has the advantage of being the only luxury hotel scheduled to open in 2005. And though Moody's Investors Service has warned investors away from San Antonio's limited-service hotel market, claiming it's overbuilt, there is still confidence in the high-end market.

Second-quarter hotel occupancy rates were the city's strongest on record, noted David Cooksey, research and development director at the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. San Antonio's 70.3 percent occupancy rate was second only to San Diego among its Southwest competition.

"This year, especially this summer, has been our best ever," Cooksey said. "Next year should be a strong year, just like this year. So (Hotel Contessa) is opening at a great time."

[KevinFromTexas]

Texboy, I totally missed your pics of downtown San Antonio in this thread on page 3. I just now saw them, and they're nice. Would you be up for adding the pics of the Hotel Contessa to Skyscrapers.com? I took a few pics of it last month from two parking garages but haven't gotten them developed yet. Your's look nice.

[texboy]

I would love to add those pics of Contessa to skyscrapers!

[KevinFromTexas]

Cool. If you'd like to become a photographer for the website you could add more pics, not just the Hotel Contessa. It's easy to do and it's a lot of fun. I've been doing it for 5 years now.

Check these two links for info.
http://www.emporis.com/en/ab/he/pa/ph/

Go here to apply.
http://www.emporis.com/en/ab/he/pa/ph/ap/

If you don't want to become a photographer for the site, and just add a few pics that's ok. You can email them to me in a few weeks or so and I'll add them. My email is still down now so I can't send or recieve emails. I'm also swamped with work to do for the site. If you decide to do it you'll really enjoy it. Your pictures are really nice so they'd be a lot of help to the San Antonio page.

[davinSA]

Hey Kevin,
What happenned to Chris Patriarca from emporis.com? Is he still with emporis? Used to communicate with him via internet, but haven't heard from him in awhile.

[KevinFromTexas]

I'm not sure, I don't think I've ever talked with him. He took some nice pictures of Austin on Skyscrapers.com. I don't think he's been on there in a while either though.

[texboy]

IKEA: City holds hope, but it's fading
By BRAD ROLLINS - Staff Reporter
Posted: Sunday, Jul 24, 2005 - 12:13:25 pm CDT




City leaders still hold out a inkling of hope that IKEA could choose San Marcos as its Central Texas home, but important indicators seem to suggest that the Swedish furniture giant has passed on the city.

For months, officials have courted the company with the argument that building its 260,000 to 350,000 square foot superstore here would put it within easy driving distance of both the Austin and San Antonio markets. Site selectors scouted available land along IH-35 and officials met with executives on more than one occasion.

But Mayor Susan Narvaiz, who says she last spoke to someone from IKEA in June, thinks the company has made it clear that it's likely to build in Round Rock and San Antonio.

"They continued talking to us because we were creative and offered them a way to think outside the box and consider us," the mayor said. "In the end, they kept going back to what their norm is. Their own formula seems to be an equation that we don't really fit."



IKEA typically builds within 45 minutes driving time of 1.5 million people. The Austin area's population is about 1.2 million; San Antonio's is about 1.6 million.

Narvaiz emphasized that the city hasn't received official notification nor has the company announced another location.

"They haven't made a final decision and I can't say for sure that they couldn't come back later and restart negotiations," she said.

A spokesman for the company said on Friday that IKEA hasn't decided for sure that its coming to the area at all. He wouldn't say if San Marcos is still being considered.

"We still haven't committed to the market itself let alone to a specific location. But we do have very specific site criteria and some locations might not necessarily fit into it," said Joseph Roth, the spokesperson.

Asked if he meant San Marcos, Roth said, "Until we actually commit to market and specific location, in theory, no one is actually ruled out because we haven't ruled anyone in. Obviously, there are some sites that appear more desirable or appropriate."

The company, which is adding five stores a year in an aggressive U.S. expansion, seeks lots of about 20 acres on major highways in metropolitan areas of at least two million people. The spokesperson said the company locates new stores within a 45 minute drive of its target market.

Since its start in a rural Swedish farming community in 1943, the company has carved an international niche as a low-frills outlet for affordable furniture and home products of distinctive design. The company is also credited with a culture that emphasizes frugality reflected, for instance, in their trademark practice of selling everything to-be-assembled.

[texboy]

IKEA: City holds hope, but it's fading
By BRAD ROLLINS - Staff Reporter
Posted: Sunday, Jul 24, 2005 - 12:13:25 pm CDT




City leaders still hold out a inkling of hope that IKEA could choose San Marcos as its Central Texas home, but important indicators seem to suggest that the Swedish furniture giant has passed on the city.

For months, officials have courted the company with the argument that building its 260,000 to 350,000 square foot superstore here would put it within easy driving distance of both the Austin and San Antonio markets. Site selectors scouted available land along IH-35 and officials met with executives on more than one occasion.

But Mayor Susan Narvaiz, who says she last spoke to someone from IKEA in June, thinks the company has made it clear that it's likely to build in Round Rock and San Antonio.


"They continued talking to us because we were creative and offered them a way to think outside the box and consider us," the mayor said. "In the end, they kept going back to what their norm is. Their own formula seems to be an equation that we don't really fit."



IKEA typically builds within 45 minutes driving time of 1.5 million people. The Austin area's population is about 1.2 million; San Antonio's is about 1.6 million.

Narvaiz emphasized that the city hasn't received official notification nor has the company announced another location.

"They haven't made a final decision and I can't say for sure that they couldn't come back later and restart negotiations," she said.

A spokesman for the company said on Friday that IKEA hasn't decided for sure that its coming to the area at all. He wouldn't say if San Marcos is still being considered.

"We still haven't committed to the market itself let alone to a specific location. But we do have very specific site criteria and some locations might not necessarily fit into it," said Joseph Roth, the spokesperson.

Asked if he meant San Marcos, Roth said, "Until we actually commit to market and specific location, in theory, no one is actually ruled out because we haven't ruled anyone in. Obviously, there are some sites that appear more desirable or appropriate."

The company, which is adding five stores a year in an aggressive U.S. expansion, seeks lots of about 20 acres on major highways in metropolitan areas of at least two million people. The spokesperson said the company locates new stores within a 45 minute drive of its target market.

Since its start in a rural Swedish farming community in 1943, the company has carved an international niche as a low-frills outlet for affordable furniture and home products of distinctive design. The company is also credited with a culture that emphasizes frugality reflected, for instance, in their trademark practice of selling everything to-be-assembled.

[Paul in S.A TX]

San Antonio is closing in on 2 million people and should surpass by 2010.

[jaga185]

Actually they dont have the metro closing in on 2 million til' about 2020, so according to studies and estimates, we still have a ways to go.

[DerekfrmSA]

Actually they dont have the metro closing in on 2 million til' about 2020, so according to studies and estimates, we still have a ways to go.

The metro population is currently at just over 1.8 million.

Have you seen the freakin' population growth n the far northside/far northwest/far west side and even the southside.

In 2000, the metro was just over 1.5 million, in 2004, that number was 1.8 million. That's about 300,000 thousand in 4 years. We'd be over 2 million come 2010.

And the entire 90's can't even touch San Antonio's retail growth in the last two years alone.

[DerekfrmSA]

The talk I hear is IKEA is building at Regal Hill.

[texboy]

thats what Ive hear too.

[jaga185]

Actually they dont have the metro closing in on 2 million til' about 2020, so according to studies and estimates, we still have a ways to go.

The metro population is currently at just over 1.8 million.

Have you seen the freakin' population growth n the far northside/far northwest/far west side and even the southside.

In 2000, the metro was just over 1.5 million, in 2004, that number was 1.8 million. That's about 300,000 thousand in 4 years. We'd be over 2 million come 2010.

And the entire 90's can't even touch San Antonio's retail growth in the last two years alone.

You're probably right, I could be thinking of San Antonio proper, oh well, bad case of info.

[DerekfrmSA]

Jaga, think of it this way.

The census has us at just over 1.8 million.

With, let's say, a "conservative" net growth rate of 40,000 per year, that's 5 years it'll take San Antonio to hit 2 million, just over 2 million really.

That would be 2009 not 2020.

I think you were thinking city proper.

[jaga185]

Jaga, think of it this way.

The census has us at just over 1.8 million.

With, let's say, a "conservative" net growth rate of 40,000 per year, that's 5 years it'll take San Antonio to hit 2 million, just over 2 million really.

That would be 2009 not 2020.

I think you were thinking city proper.

I know, I figured as much. When I was talking about the bad info, I was referring to myself, in case you thought other wise.

[texboy]

Is it just me or do I feel that SA is kinda being left out of the condo building boom?!?! Look at Austin, Chicago, Dallas etc.. Im really confused on why SA is still being overlooked! When new business' start up here, like restaurants and new retail stores, more often than not they are overwhelmed with customers, bc there is such a need and a want in San Antonio for more choices and more options. Are developers just blind, or is there some stupid hidden statistic that I don't know about that is keeping potential developers of large condominium projects downtown at bay? I think its evident when huge retail outlets like The Shops and North Rim are going up and when the number of passengers at our airport keeps rising exponentially that some kind of economic boom is occuring. This year alone millions of sqft of retail space was added to our city, over 22,000 people moved to our city, several new non-stops were added at our airport. Am I the only one seeing this? Am I looking at this wrong? San Antonio seems to be primed for major condo and retail development downtown.

If it were me, and I had the money, I would be taking MAJOR advantage of this boom here by investing in a downtown that is already arguably the most vibrant downtown in the state, and possibly has more room to go up than any other city in Texas.

[Mopacs]

Is it just me or do I feel that SA is kinda being left out of the condo building boom?!?! Look at Austin, Chicago, Dallas etc.. Im really confused on why SA is still being overlooked!

Yeah, I've been thinking the exact same thing recently, especially in light of all the new condo developments announced for Austin (including a 500 footer revealed today). If this trend continues around the country, then I am almost 100% certain SA will follow soon. Personally, I can't think of a better downtown in TX to actually live in, than San Antonio. The sales of condos atop the Convention Center Hotel will probably go a long way toward determining if there is a sufficient market for them.

[urban_encounter]

Is it just me or do I feel that SA is kinda being left out of the condo building boom?!?! Look at Austin, Chicago, Dallas etc.. Im really confused on why SA is still being overlooked! When new business' start up here, like restaurants and new retail stores, more often than not they are overwhelmed with customers, bc there is such a need and a want in San Antonio for more choices and more options. Are developers just blind, or is there some stupid hidden statistic that I don't know about that is keeping potential developers of large condominium projects downtown at bay? I think its evident when huge retail outlets like The Shops and North Rim are going up and when the number of passengers at our airport keeps rising exponentially that some kind of economic boom is occuring. This year alone millions of sqft of retail space was added to our city, over 22,000 people moved to our city, several new non-stops were added at our airport. Am I the only one seeing this? Am I looking at this wrong? San Antonio seems to be primed for major condo and retail development downtown.

If it were me, and I had the money, I would be taking MAJOR advantage of this boom here by investing in a downtown that is already arguably the most vibrant downtown in the state, and possibly has more room to go up than any other city in Texas.


I'm not sure what the magic number would be for a financial return for developers would be for SA. IN Sacramento is is a minimum of $400 per square foot. In actuality there getting much more.

Developers have to be able to pull a certain dollar figure per square foot in order to make the project pencil out. That's taking into effect cost of land, construction etc. If residential units in Austin are starting around $250,000, I would imagine they can make it pencil out for SA.

I would think SA wont be far behind. Belive me Sac was watching San Diego, San Francisco and Portland get all the high rise condo activity on the West Coast. Now the flood gates have broken and the market is proving itself. (Selling out 280 condos in two days). Developers locally as well as from Denver, & San Diego have taken notice.

It will probably start with a hotel/residential mixed use project and the go from there. San Antonio would be great for residential highrises.

[starvinggryphon]

In 2000, the metro was just over 1.5 million, in 2004, that number was 1.8 million. That's about 300,000 thousand in 4 years. We'd be over 2 million come 2010.

Actually that happened because in 2003, the Census Bureau added 4 more counties to our MSA. The numbers were always there, just not a part of the metro population yet so who knows if we will actually "gain" enough new residents to top the 2 million mark by 2010. I think so, though.

[jaga185]

Is it just me or do I feel that SA is kinda being left out of the condo building boom?!?! Look at Austin, Chicago, Dallas etc.. Im really confused on why SA is still being overlooked! When new business' start up here, like restaurants and new retail stores, more often than not they are overwhelmed with customers, bc there is such a need and a want in San Antonio for more choices and more options. Are developers just blind, or is there some stupid hidden statistic that I don't know about that is keeping potential developers of large condominium projects downtown at bay? I think its evident when huge retail outlets like The Shops and North Rim are going up and when the number of passengers at our airport keeps rising exponentially that some kind of economic boom is occuring. This year alone millions of sqft of retail space was added to our city, over 22,000 people moved to our city, several new non-stops were added at our airport. Am I the only one seeing this? Am I looking at this wrong? San Antonio seems to be primed for major condo and retail development downtown.

If it were me, and I had the money, I would be taking MAJOR advantage of this boom here by investing in a downtown that is already arguably the most vibrant downtown in the state, and possibly has more room to go up than any other city in Texas.


I'm not sure what the magic number would be for a financial return for developers would be for SA. IN Sacramento is is a minimum of $400 per square foot. In actuality there getting much more.

Developers have to be able to pull a certain dollar figure per square foot in order to make the project pencil out. That's taking into effect cost of land, construction etc. If residential units in Austin are starting around $250,000, I would imagine they can make it pencil out for SA.

I would think SA wont be far behind. Belive me Sac was watching San Diego, San Francisco and Portland get all the high rise condo activity on the West Coast. Now the flood gates have broken and the market is proving itself. (Selling out 280 condos in two days). Developers locally as well as from Denver, & San Diego have taken notice.

It will probably start with a hotel/residential mixed use project and the go from there. San Antonio would be great for residential highrises.


Wouldn't the convention hotel count as a hotel/residential mixed use project?

[JACKinNYC]

San Antonio is experiencing the same thing Houston did in the 70's/80's... massive growth outward and multiple mini-downtown areas. This will only hurt the city as far as traffic congestion and smog are concerned. It's too bad. SA had a nice flavor that Houston doesn't have. But if they remain short sighted and don't push for more development downtown and figure out a rail-based rapid transit soon, things will get really ugly.

[jaga185]

I know what you mean, we are getting toll roads now (construction early '06), not even plans for rail-lines. But oh well, I'm not the mayor so I can't make much decisions. I can't even vote on anything either!, one more year :).

[texboy]

Thats a start. Im hoping those condos will spur on other projects.

[urban_encounter]

Is it just me or do I feel that SA is kinda being left out of the condo building boom?!?! Look at Austin, Chicago, Dallas etc.. Im really confused on why SA is still being overlooked! When new business' start up here, like restaurants and new retail stores, more often than not they are overwhelmed with customers, bc there is such a need and a want in San Antonio for more choices and more options. Are developers just blind, or is there some stupid hidden statistic that I don't know about that is keeping potential developers of large condominium projects downtown at bay? I think its evident when huge retail outlets like The Shops and North Rim are going up and when the number of passengers at our airport keeps rising exponentially that some kind of economic boom is occuring. This year alone millions of sqft of retail space was added to our city, over 22,000 people moved to our city, several new non-stops were added at our airport. Am I the only one seeing this? Am I looking at this wrong? San Antonio seems to be primed for major condo and retail development downtown.

If it were me, and I had the money, I would be taking MAJOR advantage of this boom here by investing in a downtown that is already arguably the most vibrant downtown in the state, and possibly has more room to go up than any other city in Texas.


I'm not sure what the magic number would be for a financial return for developers would be for SA. IN Sacramento is is a minimum of $400 per square foot. In actuality there getting much more.

Developers have to be able to pull a certain dollar figure per square foot in order to make the project pencil out. That's taking into effect cost of land, construction etc. If residential units in Austin are starting around $250,000, I would imagine they can make it pencil out for SA.

I would think SA wont be far behind. Belive me Sac was watching San Diego, San Francisco and Portland get all the high rise condo activity on the West Coast. Now the flood gates have broken and the market is proving itself. (Selling out 280 condos in two days). Developers locally as well as from Denver, & San Diego have taken notice.

It will probably start with a hotel/residential mixed use project and the go from there. San Antonio would be great for residential highrises.


Wouldn't the convention hotel count as a hotel/residential mixed use project?


If there are condos in the mix absolutely. Developers will be watching how great the demand is for those condos. If they sell well then there will problably be bigger and larger Condo towers in SA future.

[davinSA]

Wait a minute. San Antonio is experiencing a downtown condo boom. You are forgetting the older buildings that are being converted or have been converted to condos or apartments. No, we haven't seen the proposed "new" condo towers in Austin, but I am sure that concept is on its way, only I hope not too much of a dramatic change in the skyline. Again, not to look like just any other American city.

Recent downtown buildings converted to condos:

Old Frost Brothers Building
South Texas Bank Building ( in process )
Neisner Building ( in process )
Exchange Building
Maverick Building
Cadillac Lofts

New construction of downtown condos:


Andalusia Condominiums
South End Condominiums
King William Condominiums
Piazza San Lorenzo Condo Towers ( in process )

Let's not forget:
Majestic Tower Apartments
Brady Building Tower Apartments


and of course the Convention Center Hotel Condos

Research indicates there is alot more room for absorption in the urban living dwellings department.

[davinSA]

Oh, forgot the Fairfield Condo Tower. Oh please, Jack in NYC , we do not want to become another Houston!!! NO!:no:
San Antonio needs to stay a "unique" city!

[JACKinNYC]

All the great cities have their traffic situations figured out (to generalize).

[Paul in S.A TX]

There are so many conversions downtown, I would say a couple thousand units.People don't realize the inventory we now have in the cbd.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Dave ,
you forgot the La Cascada high rise condos.It is a 14 & 12 story high rise.The 12 story is Under construction.Not to mention The condos a top the 575 foot Hyatt.

Plus the exsisiting older apts like the Maverick,Robert e.lee,Granada,Hermasillo apt high rises.The list goes on.

[DerekfrmSA]

What about that 34 story condo highrise that got some talk not too long again. I believe Texboy mentioned it.

[GoldenBoot]

Dave ,
you forgot the La Cascada high rise condos.It is a 14 & 12 story high rise.The 12 story is Under construction.Not to mention The condos a top the 575 foot Hyatt.

Plus the exsisiting older apts like the Maverick,Robert e.lee,Granada,Hermasillo apt high rises.The list goes on.

You mean 525' Hyatt, right?!? I have not seen anything which shows the building height to be 575'. I've seen it anywhere between 500' and 545'...

Does anyone have access to the actual blue prints?

[DerekfrmSA]

575 has also been a number thrown around. There's no official height yet but most seen to believe it will be well above 525 feet.

[DerekfrmSA]

SA to Flush $1/2 Million Down Toilet--Literally
LAST UPDATE: 8/12/2005 8:00:09 PM

Posted By: Jim Forsyth

This story is available on your cell phone at mobile.woai.com.


A measure included in the two year City of San Antonio budget blueprint unveiled Thursday would spend a half million next year on two quarter million dollar super luxury public toilets for use by the city's homeless population, 1200 WOAI news reported today.

The luxury latrines would include many high tech amenities, they would be self cleaning, self deodorizing, and would include security features that would allow them to remain open 24 hours a day, and in all kinds of weather.

Increasing the number of rest rooms available to the homeless was a key demand of homeless activists when the city passed it's restrictions on downtown panhandling, begging, and other activities this past spring.

The Rev. John Flowers at Travis Park United Methodist Church, says the high rent rest rooms show that the city is compassionate toward the less fortunate.

"If you have an ordinance against urination or defecation in public, you have to have an option for people," he told 1200 WOAI's Bud Little.

Flowers and other homeless advocates say the public toilets would also be utilized by downtown tourists as well as regular people who work downtown and feel the urge to go.

"Homeless folks are actually fourth on the list of people in San Antonio who make use of public toilets."

He says public restrooms are an 'investment in the future.'

The median price of a home in San Antonio is a little more than $104,000 this year, which means each of these proposed golden thrones costs more than twice as much as the median price of a family home.

LINK (http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=D50C7D9C-B86E-4844-800E-030B5F586E9A)

[DerekfrmSA]

San Antonio's economy on a roll

T.A. BADGER

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO - Grand predictions about San Antonio's economy are nothing new.

They were made in 1968 as the city hosted a world's fair and again a decade ago when the North American Free Trade Agreement let loose a heavy commercial flow north from Mexico.

But this time around, many believe there are enough good things happening that San Antonio may at last realize its decades-long dream: a place among America's major cities.

"It's like our moment has arrived," said Henry Cisneros, the city's former mayor and the federal housing secretary under President Clinton. "San Antonio seems to have hit the big leagues."

The Alamo City's economy has been on a fast-lane thrill ride since Toyota Motor Corp. announced plans for a pickup-truck plant in early 2003.

The $850 million plant will employ about 2,000 high-wage workers when it starts production late next year, and at least 18 of its suppliers will come to town with nearly as many jobs.

In April, the National Security Agency said it plans to hire at least 1,500 people in San Antonio for intelligence analysis work. And in June the city beat out the Dallas suburb of Irving for banking giant Washington Mutual Inc.'s regional service center, which will employ 2,250 people initially and perhaps twice as many within seven years.

Big corporations based in San Antonio are making noise, including an agreement by SBC Communications Inc. to purchase AT&T Corp., its former parent company.

Even the Pentagon's base closure plan looks like a boon for this historic military town. The current plan calls for San Antonio to gain about 3,500 uniformed and civilian positions, and as much as $1 billion in new construction.

"We just won ourselves a world championship in basketball," said Mayor Phil Hardberger, referring to the hometown Spurs' second NBA title in three years. "And as far as I'm concerned, we're winning ourselves another world championship in commerce."

There has been job growth for 12 straight quarters and wages have climbed faster than any of the state's big cities in recent years, though those paychecks are still smaller than the average in Houston, Dallas and Austin.

Still, is San Antonio - long considered a poor provincial town despite being the country's eighth largest city with 1.2 million people - stepping onto the national stage? Is it even ready to be mentioned in the same breath as Texas' other major cities?

"We have some small and very potentially powerful victories of late, and that's something to be excited about," said Char Miller, director of urban studies at Trinity University in San Antonio. "But I wouldn't say that we are now as potent as Dallas or Houston."

But the ever-optimistic business boosters predict that San Antonio's run is just getting started.

"The next decade will be the best decade this community has ever had," said Mario Hernandez, who heads the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. "All of the pieces are place."


LINK (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/12337956.htm)

[davinSA]

I've been here twenty years and I have seen explosive growth in San Antonio. Can't wait to see what the next ten years will be like.

[Paul in S.A TX]

It is exciting to se SA florish.

[Chicago3rd]

SA to Flush $1/2 Million Down Toilet--Literally
LAST UPDATE: 8/12/2005 8:00:09 PM

Posted By: Jim Forsyth

This story is available on your cell phone at mobile.woai.com.


A measure included in the two year City of San Antonio budget blueprint unveiled Thursday would spend a half million next year on two quarter million dollar super luxury public toilets for use by the city's homeless population, 1200 WOAI news reported today.

The luxury latrines would include many high tech amenities, they would be self cleaning, self deodorizing, and would include security features that would allow them to remain open 24 hours a day, and in all kinds of weather.

This is how San Antonio manages to keep its hick image. First....get in contact with the French Company that set up the Toilets in San Francisco. That company will actually pay the city to have the toilets. So there you save 1/2 million dollars. And the tourist can use them too. The Toilet Company set up Bus Stops in Chicago too...and will be taking care of them and paying the city of Chicago lots of money. So perhaps....someone in San Antonio can do a google search and find out they can provide toilets for the homeless and the tourist and it will not cost the city any money.




LINK (http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=D50C7D9C-B86E-4844-800E-030B5F586E9A) [/QUOTE]

[texboy]

hick image? where did that come from. This isn't Arkansas here.

[DerekfrmSA]

SA to Flush $1/2 Million Down Toilet--Literally
LAST UPDATE: 8/12/2005 8:00:09 PM

Posted By: Jim Forsyth

This story is available on your cell phone at mobile.woai.com.


A measure included in the two year City of San Antonio budget blueprint unveiled Thursday would spend a half million next year on two quarter million dollar super luxury public toilets for use by the city's homeless population, 1200 WOAI news reported today.

The luxury latrines would include many high tech amenities, they would be self cleaning, self deodorizing, and would include security features that would allow them to remain open 24 hours a day, and in all kinds of weather.

This is how San Antonio manages to keep its hick image. First....get in contact with the French Company that set up the Toilets in San Francisco. That company will actually pay the city to have the toilets. So there you save 1/2 million dollars. And the tourist can use them too. The Toilet Company set up Bus Stops in Chicago too...and will be taking care of them and paying the city of Chicago lots of money. So perhaps....someone in San Antonio can do a google search and find out they can provide toilets for the homeless and the tourist and it will not cost the city any money.




LINK (http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=D50C7D9C-B86E-4844-800E-030B5F586E9A)

So the city spends 500,000 dollars to improve the quality of downtown by building two high tech public restrooms that will be free of charge but some how that gives a "hick image?"

Where is the logic?

And who pays to build things and not see a profit? Or are people charged to use the restrooms? The one's in SA are free to use.

If that French company isn't making a profit, they're the hicks.

[Chicago3rd]

SA to Flush $1/2 Million Down Toilet--Literally
LAST UPDATE: 8/12/2005 8:00:09 PM

Posted By: Jim Forsyth

This story is available on your cell phone at mobile.woai.com.


A measure included in the two year City of San Antonio budget blueprint unveiled Thursday would spend a half million next year on two quarter million dollar super luxury public toilets for use by the city's homeless population, 1200 WOAI news reported today.

The luxury latrines would include many high tech amenities, they would be self cleaning, self deodorizing, and would include security features that would allow them to remain open 24 hours a day, and in all kinds of weather.

This is how San Antonio manages to keep its hick image. First....get in contact with the French Company that set up the Toilets in San Francisco. That company will actually pay the city to have the toilets. So there you save 1/2 million dollars. And the tourist can use them too. The Toilet Company set up Bus Stops in Chicago too...and will be taking care of them and paying the city of Chicago lots of money. So perhaps....someone in San Antonio can do a google search and find out they can provide toilets for the homeless and the tourist and it will not cost the city any money.




LINK (http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=D50C7D9C-B86E-4844-800E-030B5F586E9A)

So the city spends 500,000 dollars to improve the quality of downtown by building two high tech public restrooms that will be free of charge but some how that gives a "hick image?"

Where is the logic?

And who pays to build things and not see a profit? Or are people charged to use the restrooms? The one's in SA are free to use.

If that French company isn't making a profit, they're the hicks.

Would you READ THE HEADLINE!!! Then come back to me. My response was to the story.....damn are the schools really that poor in San Antonio.

And you really need to use your little airport and fly to different cities on occasion.

SF and Chicago both use: JCDecaux North America
Chicago doesn't use the public restrooms from this vendor but we got new attractive well lite bus shelters.....JCDecaux paid for them...maintains them and will pay Chicago $30 million to hold the contract for several decades. So silly......they are making a profit....and San Antonio could solve this man's gripe about flushing money down the sewer. That was the vain of the article. Also, in SF it cost 25cents...but the homeless can get free tokens............

A link to AMERICAN RESTROOMS

http://www.americanrestroom.org/apt/

P.S. There is a portion of San Antonio that is very libertarian. WOAI radio is close to being so libertarian that it is fascist (note article above.....if you are confused where this is coming from). In general it is WOAI and their followers who keep San Antonio down....and keep them rehashing the same old stuff. It is a squeaky minority....but they have so much power. So it was and is UNFAIR of me to make huge blanket statements against the City of San Antonio.....because again its only a small minority...that keeps the city back.

[Paul in S.A TX]

San Antonio's airport is under major re-development.New terminals 40 gates i believe.

[DerekfrmSA]

Wow, you're one cool guy, being a little condescending jackass. Bravo my friend, bravo!

[DerekfrmSA]

VIA introduces new 'super' bus stop in San Antonio

Officials with VIA Metropolitan Transit, the city of San Antonio, the Texas Department of Transportation and Bexar County on Monday unveiled plans for the first "super stop" in San Antonio.

The super stop -- larger than a bus shelter but with fewer features than a park and ride -- is designed to provide seating for riders and covering from the weather.

It will also feature bus-arrival displays in real-time information and ticket-vending machines.

The first will be built at the corner of Culebra Road and Zarzamora Street on the city's West Side.

"By building the first super stop here, we are carrying out the work we promised to do under the (Advanced Transportation District)," VIA Board Chairman Tim Tuggey says. "VIA has already begun putting out more bus service as a result of the ATD, and now people can see actual construction work being done as we commence the capital projects."

A total of 50 super stops will be built over the next several years.

Local transportation officials are building these facilities with funds from the Advanced Transportation District (ATD), which collects a quarter-cent sales tax. San Antonio voters approved the creation of the district last November.

The district has the ability to pay for improvements to public transportation, streets, highways and related-transportation infrastructure.

LINK (http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2005/08/15/daily4.html?jst=b_ln_hl)

[Chicago3rd]

Wow, you're one cool guy, being a little condescending jackass. Bravo my friend, bravo!

Dude....you pasted the article on the board. Read it please...then get back to me.

Mr. Forsyth from WOAI hooked a negative commentary on this story at the very end. Good idea...bad coverage by a horrible station....WOAI is the hick conservative station holding the city back.....this was a newstory.....there shouldn't have been this type of editorializing in it:

The median price of a home in San Antonio is a little more than $104,000 this year, which means each of these proposed golden thrones costs more than twice as much as the median price of a family home.

Is it a golden throne? Are they really going to put a golden throne in each of these free toilets? No but he was bad mouthing the idea.....and that is NOT a reporters job.