Construction of a 327-unit apartment complex on Dwyer Avenue downtown gained final approval Wednesday from the Historic and Design Review Commission.
The five-story development located at 307 Dwyer Ave. – Heritage Plaza – is designed by Dallas-based GFF architects. It includes a five-and-half-story parking garage with entries and exits on South Main Avenue and Old Guilbeau Street. A historic structure – a law office that is still in use today – will remain onsite and be partially surrounded by the new construction.
The project is being led by Austin-based developer Argyle Residential. Project officials are still hashing out a construction timeline, but groundbreaking likely will be in spring of 2018, said Josh Pollock, acquisitions manager and development associate at Argyle.
A representative from the San Antonio Conservation Society on Wednesday said she would like the developers to explore adding ground-floor leasing for commercial tenants to attract more pedestrians to the area. Earlier plans included ground floor retail on the northwest and southeast corners of the development, Pollock said. Officials will continue to look at that possibility, and see how they can finance it.
“We agree that activated streets that have a mix of uses are desirable and [make] a better living environment for all parties,” Pollock said.
Heritage Plaza is one of several new developments planned for downtown. The 338-unit Encore Riverwalk, on the northwest corner of Main Avenue and Old Guilbeau Street, is under contruction, and a 32-story office and residential tower is planned a few blocks away. Additionally, the new federal courthouse will be constructed at the site of the former public safety headquarters nearby.
Bexar County commissioners just gave the green light to a new 700-car parking garage on East Nueva Street to ease the current parking shortages in the area and accommodate future parking needs.
There is a 32-story office and residential tower planned for the future? I haven’t seen mention of this project – perhaps I missed it? I follow San Antonio news pretty closely, but somehow this one slipped by me. Please enlighten me!
I’m in the dark on that one too. The author of the article wouldn’t be referring to the Frost Bank tower, would she?
Victor,
Thanks so much for reaching out. The tower was first reported by the E-N, here: http://www.expressnews.com/real-estate/article/Developer-adds-office-space-to-downtown-apartment-10914649.php
We appreciate your readership!
Best,
Camille
It appears the HDRC did not adequately consider the needs of pedestrians. The sidewalks are only 5 to 6 feet wide and are compressed by trees planted along the street.
A livable city has wide sidewalks that allow pedestrians to walk two abreast.
The builder may think they are saving money by jamming more units onto the property, but the long term property value will suffer as their residents find the sidewalks too narrow to use.
Agree with you there John. 6 foot sidewalks with a 5 foot green buffer from the street isn’t too bad, but we should have much better from our new projects.
Completely agree! As someone who stares out at this empty lot every day and will have to “live” with it on a daily basis, wider sidewalks would be welcome. The sidewalks that currently exist around the Live Agave apartment complex are inadequate. You only get once chance to do it right.