Lone Star District

In 1883 the Lone Star Brewing Company was founded in San Antonio with help from Adolphus Busch. After Prohibition, the brewery re-established itself along the San Antonio River in the Southtown neighborhood. Lake Flato created a master plan that revitalizes the former brewery and transforms the 32-acre historic site into a thriving mixed-use destination. The plan honors the site’s character and history while curating a thoughtfully designed phased development that infuses the public realm with connectivity and sustainability.

To build upon the history of Lone Star and the surrounding community, public amenities enhance walkability, support communal growth, and exemplify environmental sensitivity while continuing to stay authentic through the reuse of historic buildings.

Urban Design Framework

The Lone Star Master Plan reimagines the 32-acre Southtown site along the San Antonio River into a multi-phase, walkable, mixed-use destination featuring the redevelopment of historic buildings, vibrant open spaces, and access to the river. The project strives to build on the heritage and connectivity of the miles of existing trails by embracing and activating the river’s edge with parks and open spaces, creating a regional connection to the larger community.

Located 1.5 miles south of downtown, the Lone Star District is located within San Antonio’s Southtown Arts District. The site borders the San Antonio River, boasting over a quarter mile of river frontage on the Mission Reach, and is adjacent to Roosevelt Park. Lone Star aspirates to cultivate a local and international art and music identity in addition to a place to live, work, play, shop, and eat with an emphasis on vibrant open spaces and pedestrian friendly experiences.

Process

Site History

Lone Star Bottling Works opened in San Antonio and by 1903 was selling 65,000 barrels of beer annually, becoming the largest brewery in Texas. The original brewery (now the home of the San Antonio Art Museum) was forced to close during Prohibitition.
A new brewery complex along Mission Road in Southtown opened around 1933 and eventually became the official production site for the "national beer of Texas." The industrial complex was one of several that developed in the area and reflects San Antonio’s status as an important regional processing and manufacturing hub.
In 1956, Lone Star Brewing Company purchased the famous Buckhorn Saloon and Museum collection. A separate facility was constructed to house the historic Saloon which served as the Brewery's hospitality and sampling room. The Saloon remained at the facility until it was relocated in 1996.
In 1998, the Lone Star Brewery closed, and the new owner, Stroh’s Beer, moved the brewing of Lone Star to Stroh’s Brewery in Longview, Texas, signaling the end of San Antonio as a major brewing town.
Lone Star’s sales benefited from association with Willie Nelson and the Austin music scene. The beer is mentioned frequently in Red Steagall’s 1976 album “Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music.” In 1999, the company began to sponsor Texas singers and musicians.
Process

Proposed Conditions

The proposed design builds density and reduces surface parking while enhancing shared landscape settings that support communal activities and bolster district identity.
46% Buildings
32% Street / Hardscape
18% Landscape
4% Surface Parking

The Lone Star Brewery Master Plan introduces a variety of programming including over 1,000,000 square feet of multifamily residential, over 350,000 square feet of office space, a hotel with 189 keys, and close to 200,000 square feet of retail/dining and commercial lease space. The plan includes trail system enhancements, flexible and programmable open spaces, plazas, a beer garden, courtyards, dog parks, pocket parks, and a market that converts the former industrial site into a year-round garden with a park-like feel.

Lone Star District

Sustainable Design

The design incorporates a series of modern sustainable features across the entirety of the site. Preservation of the brewery and district character highlights the site’s history while breathing life back into the buildings with new programs. Specialty streetscape paving, green roofs, rain gardens, and solar panels help diversify stormwater management, increase renewable energy usage, and reduce carbon emissions.