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San Antonio booms among U.S. metros with the most new single-family home construction

Some 79,057 permits for single-family homes were handed out in the San Antonio region over a decade.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Board of Realtors

When your population soars more than 15 percent, as the San Antonio metro area’s population did between 2012 and 2020, you need to put more roofs over people’s heads.

As a result of the region’s booming population, the Alamo City lands at No. 20 on the list of major U.S. metro areas with the most construction permits issued for single-family homes from 2012 through 2021, according to new data from self-storage marketplace StorageCafe. During that period, 79,057 permits for single-family homes were handed out in the region.

During the same time period, San Antonio also issued 44,170 multifamily permits (No. 25 in the country), saw more than 9.3 million square feet of new office space added (No. 25), was 29th in the country for new industrial space (more than 30.4 million square feet), was 11th for new retail space (nearly 13.9 million square feet), and saw new self-storage space increase by more than 6.8 million square feet (18th in the country).

Here’s how other major Texas metros fared on the list:

Dallas-Fort Worth, No. 1

DFW ranks:

Second for single-family home permits (323,250).
Second for multifamily permits (233,246).
Second for new office space (nearly 55 million square feet).
First for new industrial space (more than 228 million square feet).
Second for new retail space (more than 47.8 million square feet).
First for new self-storage space (more than 22.9 million square feet).

“One of the fastest-growing metros in the country, Dallas acted as a magnet for both new residents and businesses over the past decade, and the real estate market responded,” StorageCafe notes.

Houston, No. 2

Houston ranks:

First for single-family home permits (392,136).
Fourth for multifamily construction permits (170,817).
Third for new office space (nearly 44.3 million square feet).
Fourth for new industrial space (more than 153.3 million square feet).
First for new retail space (more than 51.8 million square feet).
Third for new self-storage space (nearly 17.6 million square feet).

“Houston has been the primary destination for newcomers moving to Texas, especially Californians who find respite in Harris County’s lower home prices and tax rates, cheaper land, and sound economy,” StorageCafe says in explaining the demand for more homes in the area.

Houston ranks second for construction activity across all six property types from 2012 through 2021.

Austin, No. 11

Austin ranks:

Fifth for single-family home permits (152,779).
Sixth for multifamily permits (133,951).
10th for new office space (more than 24.3 million square feet).
32nd for new industrial space (more than 24 million square feet).
Ninth for new retail space (nearly 15.2 million square feet).
10th for new self-storage space (more than 8.3 million square feet).

“Austin manages to outperform many of the decidedly bigger metros in the top 10 for both single-family and multifamily construction,” StorageCafe says.

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Take A Walk

New multifamily community opens near Stone Oak restaurants and shopping

Rendering courtesy of Greyson Luxury Living

The new community offers 291 units.

A new multifamily community is now open to prospective residents in San Antonio. Greyson Luxury Living comprises 291 units at 1734 N. Loop 1604 West, with a focus on lifestyle amenities. But the location will be the main draw for many.

Apartment floor plans range from one to three bedrooms, starting at $1,317 for one bedroom and one bathroom, and working up to a base price of $2,611 for three bedrooms and two baths. The community's pet policy according to the website is: "We welcome all your furry friends at Greyson."

Residents will get reserved parking and a garage with EV charging stations, but it might not always be necessary to hop in the car. The apartments are directly adjacent to restaurants like Cover 3, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, and Blü Prime Steakhouse — not exactly everyday eats, but there's tons more at the Vineyard Shopping Center and the Stone Oak neighborhood's Blanco Market Shopping Center across the highway.

In addition to restaurants, the community is less than a five-minute drive from H-E-B Plus, Whole Foods Market, Target, fashion and furniture stores, and multiple fitness studios like StretchLab and LA Fitness.

A press release promises wood-style flooring, quartz and granite countertops, and ceramic tile backsplash. On the more utilitarian side, it offers single-basin sinks, kitchen islands, "spacious" pantries, a stainless-steel Energy Star appliance package, and washer and dryer connections. (Images shared by the complex so far appear to be more illustrative of the desired vibe than the actual space.)

Every floor plan also shows a private patio or balcony. The most expensive floor plan — the three-by-two — has a wraparound outdoor space.

For shared spaces, a resort-style pool with a tanning shelf (a very shallow area for placing lounge chairs) and bike storage encourage residents to get outside, and a dog wash station makes it easy to leave dirt and hair outside of apartments. There's also a fitness center, a clubhouse with wi-fi, elevators, and concierge services.

“We developed Greyson as a luxury multifamily community aimed to fit any type of lifestyle, and we are grateful for all of our partners that helped bring this project to life,” says Ed Garahan, partner and CEO at Carbon Companies, the development firm heading the project.

Carbon Companies also sold the Addison Medical Center Apartments, Ventura Ridge, Triomphe Apartments, and Pecan Springs Luxury Apartment Homes, with more in the works in San Antonio.

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