1221 Broadway, San Antonio
Lake|Flato Architects
San Antonio
Lake|Flato’s task was to find the best use for 19 concrete superstructures spanning three city blocks that were built 15 years ago and then abandoned. “The trend in San Antonio is big, blocky buildings without sequestered space for community,” says David Lake, FAIA, who likened the puzzle to a Rubik’s Cube. “We wanted to make a place with a strong sense of purpose and identity.”
Part of a 350-acre master plan to reinvigorate the downtown and river area, the new compound is a standalone destination for urban living. Concrete, metal, and stucco-clad buildings with varied balcony types give the sense that it was built over time, and big projecting arbors and patios help the buildings meet the street gracefully. They’re ringed with five courtyards, each with its own color and character, for swimming, grilling, and outdoor theater. The multilevel outdoor bridges connecting the units with the garages also supply a bit of theater. “Some people are walking two city blocks from the garage to their unit, so it has to be fun,” Lake says. “There are incredible views of downtown, and people meet and talk on bridges.”
The judges applauded the “smart, strategic regeneration” and the way the landscape is woven in. “The interiors are great, and there’s something modest about it,” said one judge. “They knew exactly how much to do.”
Project Credits
Principal in charge: David Lake, FAIA, Lake|Flato Architects
Architect of record: Mickey Conrad, AIA, OCO Architects, San Antonio
General contractor: Jeff Hill, CF Jordan Construction, Dallas
Developer: David Adelman, AREA Real Estate, San Antonio
Landscape architect: Matt Moczygemba, Kudela & Weinheimer, San Antonio
Interior designer: Jill Giles, Giles Design, San Antonio
Unit size: 450 to 1,250 square feet
Site size: 3.87 acres
Rental price: $1.60 per square foot average
Construction cost: Withheld
Units: 308
Photography: Chris Cooper
Product Details
Bathroom cabinets: Regency Custom Cabinets regencycustomcabinets.com
Bathroom fittings: Kohler kohler.com
Countertops: Interceramic interceramicusa.com
Dishwasher: Whirlpool whirlpool.com
Exterior siding: Berridge berridge.com
HVAC: Goodman goodmanmfg.com, Honeywell honeywell.com
Kitchen cabinets: Regency Custom Cabinets regencycustomcabinets.com
Kitchen fittings: Kohler kohler.com
Kitchen fixtures: ProFlo proflo.com
Oven: Whirlpool whirlpool.com
Refrigerator: Whirlpool whirlpool.com
Roofing: Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO carlislesyntec.com
Windows: Milgard milgard.com
