CHECKING INTO KOEHLER HOUSE
San Antonio's historic Koehler House quashes plans for boutique hotel

San Antonio's iconic Koehler House is not longer becoming a hotel.
Those who have been dreaming about a staycation in San Antonio’s iconic Koehler House are about to have their bubble burst. The historic property at 310 W Ashby Pl, once earmarked to be a boutique hotel and restaurant, is being converted into a charter school.
Recent project details filed with the state show the 124-year-old Victorian landmark will become one of Great Hearts Texas’ schools. The renovations listed in a series of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation listings include new sidewalks, playgrounds, and classrooms.
While local kids may be thrilled at learning in the magical environment, the news does put the kibosh on a long-anticipated hospitality project. In 2022, real estate firm Weston Urban bought the home from Alamo Colleges District for a little more than $2 million. The initial plans showed a hotel, restaurant, and entertainment space.
The 12,655-square-foot limestone mansion was built as the private home of Otto and Emma Koehler of Pearl Brewery fame. It remained in the family until 1972 when it was gifted to Alamo Colleges. The college maintained the stately property for 50 years.
During that time, the building housed ceramics, art metals, and jewelry design studios and conference space. Alamo Colleges District trustees voted to sell the property in 2021 to avoid footing the bill for costly renovations.
It’s unclear when the charter school will be ready for enrollment, but San Antonians’ dreams of the estate being a publicly accessible space have been quashed. Scaffolding has already been erected around the building in preparation for its new use.
CultureMap has reached out to Great Hearts for more details, but a request for comment was not returned by publication time.