The beer flow stopped at the Lone Star Brewery when it closed shop in 1996. Now, almost 20 years later, developers are wasting no time to revive a piece of Texas history. Our John Salazar takes us to the site.
A few months ago, Aqualand Development bought 36 acres on the long-abandoned 60-acre Southside San Antonio site.
This weekend the historic property came back to life, hosting the Lone Star Texas Heritage Music Festival. Owners want to see mixed-use commercial and residential bring the estate back to life, and they want Lone Star Beer as a tenant, brewing the National Beer of Texas like the good old days
"You'll never find a brewery this size, the land and everything they built. It's all poured in place concrete, so we already have a footprint to start with," said Aqualand Development founder Mark Smith.
Smith said the old structure is well-built, sound and ready for a modern makeover.
"What we've done in 120 days is an absolute miracle. We took a place that you couldn't even walk, and you've got 3,000 people out here today. That's a big accomplishment," said Smith.
Aqualand has the option to buy another 30 acres attached to brewery.
One of the best attributes, according to developers, is this multi-acre pond. Down below the brewery are three artesian wells. Another long term-plan is to get water back into the hole, as well as renovate the neighboring pool.
"My grandfather used to come out here and drink beer in the beer garden and I'd go swim," said Smith.
The old beer garden now sits restored beneath the iconic smokestack.
"Today is the first step at succeeding in bringing it all back," said Smith.
Planners say the entire project could take 10 to 15 years to complete, but they want to see some small businesses call the 80-year-old plant home within a year.
Aqualand will have some fiscal cushion from San Antonio. The project can qualify for the Center City Housing Incentive Policy, which includes a 15-year property tax rebate, lowering or negating SAWS and other city waivers, and access to a low-interest inner-city incentive fund.
Smith says he doesn’t believe investing in a once-heavily industrial area just south of downtown is a big gamble.
“That offers some character," he said. "It’s a nice site on the south side of town.”
Smith points to the multi-family Big Tex development about one-quarter mile to the north as an example that the Alamo City is ready for big changes in this part of town. Less than a mile to the northwest, another 212-unit complex is going up at the corner of East Cevallos and Probandt.
The San Antonio River banks sits adjacent to the brewery. Bexar County and the City of San Antonio dropped $271 million to extend the Mission Trail 8 miles south of downtown.