The Pearl, a former brewery in San Antonio, is set to undergo a significant expansion. Oxbow Development Group has submitted plans to the city’s Office of Historic Preservation to raze the existing Garage Building and another building across from it. The developer wants to build multiple storefronts within 10 new buildings along Avenue A and make improvements to Pearl Parkway.
Expansion Details
The project aims to create a more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly environment for guests. The new retail development will include a mix of local, regional, national, and global brands, adding to the Pearl’s existing options. Oxbow has enlisted the designers at Alamo Architects and Don B. McDonald Architects to design the new structures, which will draw inspiration from San Antonio’s historic commercial buildings.
The planned new construction will also occupy space on the east side of Avenue A, replacing the former can recycling building and a surface parking lot. The existing car parking lots under the highway will remain open, and more spaces are available at the Oxbow Building garage.
History of the Garage Building
The Garage Building, built in 1939, was designed to support vehicle maintenance and service functions for the brewery. Over the years, it has been home to various tenants, including the cosmetics firm Aveda and two local nonprofits. However, the building’s orientation, limited transparency, and lack of accessible entries have limited its marketability and tenant interest.
Oxbow’s request to the city for approval to demolish the building states that it has considered other uses for the building, including an entertainment venue concept and a brewery/restaurant concept. However, both projects were canceled due to the high estimated cost of construction.
The city ordinance protects historic landmarks and buildings from demolition, requiring applicants to demonstrate ‘clear and convincing evidence supporting an unreasonable economic hardship’ to maintain the structure. Oxbow’s request provides a list of materials from the Garage Building that it plans to salvage for reuse in the proposed retail development.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
