By Creighton A. Welch - Express-News

To buy a condo in downtown San Antonio two years ago took a lot of confidence ... and guts.

But it seems to have worked out well for Jim and Donna Perkins.

The couple was the second buyer at the Vidorra condos on Center Street near Sunset Station, and believed in downtown life so much they bought two units, one on the sixth floor and one on the 18th.

Two former breweries get facelifts, as the San Antonio River Walk expands.
- Coleman Wood

One of San Antonio's most famous success stories is the San Antonio River Walk. The iconic entertainment district, which is also known as Paseo del Rio, was almost lost in the 1920s, after a severe bout of flooding caused city leaders to want to pave over the river. The waterway was saved, and it was later made into a park by the Works Progress Administration, which added walkways, bridges and tree plantings. Over the years, businesses moved to riverfront locations, providing residents and visitors with a variety of dining, retail, hotel and entertainment options, and the River Walk has expanded as its reputation has grown.

The city is in the process of extending the River Walk in both directions, opening up large tracts of the city for redevelopment. While many projects are under construction or in talks along these new corridors, two stand out as especially creative and unique. Both are former breweries that once used the San Antonio River for their livelihood and are now being given a second chance.

Lone Star Brewery

On the south side of San Antonio, the city is working on a $124 million extension of the San Antonio River Walk that will expand its system of parks and trails 1.75 miles through the city's Mission Reach neighborhood to Mission Concepcion, one of San Antonio's five historic missions. Back when this project was still on the drawing board, Austin developer B. Knightly Homes was looking at a property that the new extension would pass right by - the Lone Star Brewery.

Thank you to everyone who attended our special event at the Lone Star Brewery.

The concert featuring the John Pointer Trio was incredible! Many of you know, the sales center used to be an entertainment facility for the Lone Star Brewery executives and their guests so we felt it only fitting to host our first concert in this historic location.

Download the Interview Here.

The San Antonio Conservation Society could be key to breathing new life into a major rehab project near downtown.

Mark Tolley, CEO of Austin-based B. Knightly Development, is in negotiations with the San Antonio Conservation Society to obtain a historic facade easement for his latest project: The redevelopment of the former Lone Star Brewery.

For the buyers that purchase a home in Phase 1 of The Lone Star Brewery, they'll receive free beer for a year. The free beer will be for up to 32 cases a year. That is slightly over 2 Lone Star beers (24 ounces) for every day of the year.

For you prospective Buyers, the best way to describe the Deduction and over-all process is as follows;

The Builder will complete the refurbishment of the Historic Façade to as close as possible to its original condition. The project is in a Historic District, and the building will be nominated for Historic Status (which it presently lacks). The Builder will negotiate the Acceptance of a Permanent Façade Easement for the preservation of all historic elements of the exterior of the structure with the San Antonio Historic Conservancy (which has already indicated its willingness to accept). 

The economic storm sweeping the country has left Americans with few places to hide.

But those looking to hunker down might want to head to Texas, where they can get the best value for their dollar.

That's because Austin and San Antonio lead our list of places where your money goes farthest. Residents of both enjoy affordable housing and promising prospects for job growth in coming years. Houston and Dallas also land in the top 10, at Nos. 4 and 7, respectively.

San Antonio Business Journal - by Tricia Lynn Silva

For Mark Tolley, there’s no time like now.

Last month, Tolley’s firm, B. Knightly Development & Construction, purchased the former Lone Star Brewery, which spans 23 acres at Probandt and Lone Star Boulevard, near the King William Historic District.

It was reported Aug. 12 that the former Lone Star Brewery on the city’s South Side had been sold to an Austin company that plans to convert the 23-acre site into a mixed-use development.