Hemisfair hotel
San Antonio's Hemisfair Park unveils first look at highly anticipated hotel
The anticipation is growing for the next phase of redevelopment at downtown San Antonio's Hemisfair Park. A unanimous April amendment to the ongoing agreement between the City of San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC), Zachry Hospitality, and the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC), the next stage is set to deliver a hotel, park-facing activations, parking options, and more residential units to the original 2017 contract. And now, we get a glimpse of the hotel.
Proposed by Zachry Hospitality in a public/private partnership with HPARC, the conceptual design for the 200-room hotel has now been approved by the HDRC. Overland Partners Architects designed the full-service property, which will be owned and operated by Zachry Hospitality as a Curio Collection by Hilton.
Situated in the Hemisfair District on roughly 1.5 acres near the intersection of South Alamo and Market streets, the hotel is mere steps from key cultural assets in downtown San Antonio, including (of course) The Alamo, the River Walk, La Villita, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and Hemisfair’s Civic Park.
“I appreciate our partners for their unwavering perseverance and collaboration. Together with our community, we will create one of the premier resident and visitor destinations in the country. We extend congratulations to our city leaders as we continue this ambitious journey reimagining today’s Hemisfair,” said David Zachry, Zachry Corporation president and CEO.
The 17-story hotel will feature a terraced base with ground floor retail, multiple restaurants, a rooftop bar, and a garden with public art — all accessible to the public at ground level from Civic Park and South Alamo Street. Native stone, lush vegetation, and water features integrated throughout the project to showcase environmentally sustainable design elements and reflect the natural elements created by the region's Balcones Escarpment.
Oriented to provide guests with panoramic views of the park to the east and city views to the west and north, the iconic curved tower will overlook the River Walk and the distinctive public art piece Torch of Friendship at the juncture of Commerce, Market, and South Alamo streets. Enviable views of The Alamo grounds are waiting for hotel guests at the rooftop terrace.
“With the support of the City and HPARC, Overland Partners and Zachry Hospitality relish the opportunity to construct what will become a signature piece of architecture along San Antonio’s skyline, while embracing and celebrating the cultural history and verdant attributes of the park,” said Bob Shemwell, FAIA, Overland senior principal, and recognized leader in sustainable design.
Aiming to open its doors to guests in 2025 for the NCAA Men's Final Four tournament, construction of the 200-room hotel is expected to begin this fall.
“Each day Hemisfair is one step closer to creating one of the world’s great public places, and a hotel, especially one that is designed to connect with the rich history of San Antonio while celebrating the natural elements of Hemisfair, helps us reach our goal,” Hemsifair CEO Andres Andujar said in a release. “While a majority of the built area in the Hemisfair District will be mixed-income residential, a hotel delivers on the strategy that a mix of uses is vital to the long-term sustainability of the Hemisfair neighborhood.”
