San Antonio's skyline is set to soon dramatically change, as the historic Tower Life Building is gearing up for a major facelift. The iconic 1929 skyscraper, recognized for its Gothic Revival architecture, is undergoing a transformative conversion to residential living, with a projected mix of market rate and affordable housing units. This significant reimagining of space, which was once a beacon of commerce and office work, comes as a result of the building's dwindling occupancy and the evolution of downtown living and working habits.
In a bold move to better fill the towering structure, developers plan to create 234 housing units, with an appealing promise to offer half for households earning 80% or less of the area median income and 23 units for those making 60% AMI. "With Bexar County as our partner, our goal is to honor the [culturally and historically] significant building, to redevelop the project as to provide homes for a diverse population of residents and mix of incomes and ages," Jon Wiegand, one of the real estate investors, told the San Antonio Report. The commitment to incorporate affordable housing options into the redevelopment has sparked discussions with Bexar County for potential tax incentives to realize this aspect of the project.
Notably, the Tower Life Building's lower floors are planned to be reinvented into urban loft apartments thanks to high ceilings and ample windows, while the unique octagonal tower above will house units with panoramic views. Further enhancing the building's appeal, an amenity floor with a pool and outdoor seating is expected to become a key feature for residents seeking leisure and skyline vistas. "You get two radically different extremes of how you normally lay out apartment buildings today," architect Irby Hightower, associated with the makeover, remarked in appearance obtained by the San Antonio Report.
The projected two-year renovation effort also includes the revival of the structure's street-level and River Walk-facing food and beverage spaces, which have lain vacant for over two decades. This aspect of redevelopment significantly hopes to contribute not only to the functionality of the building but to the vibrancy of downtown San Antonio, a cityscape that has witnessed a quieting of streets and local business struggles in recent times.
Much remains unchanged, despite the sweeping internal upgrades. The building's historic brick exterior, its Gothic stonework and green-tiled roof, and the ornate lobby with gold ceilings and marble walls will remain untouched, preserving the essence of the property's rich cultural heritage. As part of the changes, a connection will be established to one of downtown's prime attractions by removing a concrete barrier between the building and the San Antonio River Walk. The appraisal value of the Tower Life Building has seen an increase from $6.1 million to $10.2 million with improvements in 2022 valued at $4.7 million, based on county appraisal district data.
