The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) approved plans Wednesday for the rehabilitation of the historic Hammond building, located at 1120 E. Commerce St. in St. Paul Square.
In about two years time, the two-story structure will be home to retail space on the ground floor and three apartments on the second floor, the San Antonio Express-News reported last week. Local firm Yndo Commercial Real Estate Company is leading the effort alongside the owners of the building, Mario and Sandra Serrano, who are based in Corpus Christi. The firm’s principal, Steve Yndo, didn’t return the Rivard Report’s request for comment before publication.
The owners plan to use historic tax credits to assist with the costs of renovation, which has already begun on the vacant, late 19th-century structure, according to the Express-News. The property’s existing chain link fence will be replaced with a new brick and wrought iron fence on the south and east sides of the structure, not to exceed six feet in height. Additionally, the owners will install a street-level balcony on the front of the building and second level balconies on the front and rear of the building. The street-level brick will also be replaced to closely match the second-level brick, and the east and west façades of the structure will be re-plastered.
The current grass and gravel lot will be replaced by a concrete parking lot, which will be surrounded by the new fence. HDRC approved the tentative landscaping plans to surround the fence, but will require more details regarding all proposed plant materials and their exact locations.
The new space is one of several recent efforts that will activate St. Paul Square and the surrounding neighborhood upon completion. Developers broke ground two weeks ago on The Crockett Lofts at Sunset Station, and the area’s proximity to the newly-expanded Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Alamodome will likely draw more development and residents to take part in the neighborhood’s growth.
Top image: The Hammond building at 1120 E. Commerce St. Photo by Scott Ball.
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