By Edmond Ortiz
The San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission recently approved a new commercial development at Hemisfair, and a new public swimming center for the city’s South Side.
Hemisfair
On passage of the Jan. 21 meeting consent agenda, the HDRC recommended conceptual approval of a project at 400 E. Market St. at the northwest corner of Hemisfair.
Local developer GreyStreet Partners proposes building a two-story structure featuring food and beverage spaces, terraces, two levels of sub-grade parking, and sub-grade commercial space. Plans also call for two smaller, detached, one-story commercial structures on street level.
The overall two-phase development will include an art garden and what GreyStreet dubs Confluence Plaza, which will lead into the Hemisfair’s established Civic Park.
According to conceptual drawings from Mexico-based architectural firm Gomez Vasquez International, the exteriors of the new buildings will feature aluminum, concrete and limestone elements designed to complement the neighboring Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and reflect structures built during the early years of Hemisfair, which opened in 1968.
A second phase of GreyStreet’s development would be situated along the RiverWalk. The HDRC’s recommendation now goes to the City Council with stipulations, such as an archaeological investigation of the site, and detailed lighting and landscaping plans for the site.
South Side
The commission passed a separate consent agenda item regarding the city’s planned aquatics center at 3110 Roosevelt Ave., a structure that will include fencing, support buildings, parking, lighting and landscaping. City staff said a future part of the natatorium development could include a splash pad or a lazy river-style element.
Funded by the city’s 2022 voter-approved bond, the $5 million aquatics facility will be located at the Mission Marquee complex – specifically, a vacant parking lot supporting the former Mission Drive-In, which now sits next to the Mission Library, World Heritage Center, and the Najim YMCA.
The planned, day-use public pool will have 3,020 square feet of water surface with a zero-entry child lagoon, accessible entry and exit, sunbathing platforms, lifeguard stations, a rinse shower, a drinking fountain, picnic tables, and safety fencing with controlled entry.
The HRDC’s recommendation for approval now goes to the City Council. Construction on the new South Side aquatics facility is tentatively scheduled to begin this summer and continue through fall 2027.
