San Antonio’s historic skyscraper reimagined

The countdown is on for San Antonio residents dreaming of calling the historic Tower Life Building home. Construction at the site has been half a year in the making, and on Thursday, September 25, new details emerged on its design and amenities.

Located at 310 S. Saint Mary’s St., the skyscraper has stood as a defining feature of the city’s River Walk for nearly 100 years. After new tenants took ownership of the 31-story building three years ago, they announced its transformation into a mixed-use residential community.

At the time, the project received pushback from a few residents who worried that the renovations would disrupt the site’s character. Developers say they will preserve the tower’s history, which dates back to 1929, through “adaptive reuse.” The building’s exterior and first-floor lobby will stay the same, and many of the alterations target levels that were being used as office and commercial spaces.

Floor plan for Tower Life Building in San Antonio

The complex includes 242 luxury rental units alongside penthouses and river-level retail space, local real estate company McCombs Enterprises said in a press release. Each side, marked by tan gargoyles and green terra cotta tile tops, also boasts romantic views of the city’s downtown skyline. After much anticipation, it will finally open in fall 2026.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to preserve something that has been an integral part of downtown San Antonio for nearly a century,” Joseph Shields, McCombs Enterprises Executive Vice President, said. “My grandfather, Red McCombs, always told us to ‘think big and make a difference.’ In this city, we value our history. With this project, we are not just rehabilitating a historic San Antonio gem – our aim is to bring neighborhood vibrancy to the cultural heart of our city.”

Three penthouses, complete with wrap-around terraces, double-height living rooms, and mezzanines, will also anchor the space. Two of these include 180-degree views of the city from two stories of living space, while the other presides over the entire top two floors of the Tower.

Inside, the drama continues. Folks will find custom millwork kitchens, panel-ready appliances, and whole-home sound systems, all of which were prepared with hosting in mind. The more personal elements of the home are no less impressive:  Spa-level bathrooms, custom closets, and smart home technology also come with these units.

Renderings for the penthouses are included below.

Meanwhile, penthouse or not, all residents can benefit from shared amenities on the seventh floor. Here, they’ll find a library, lounges, and over 5,000 square feet of rooftop gardens. It also contains bar and work spaces, entertainment areas, private event rooms, and a modern fitness center with a yoga/meditation studio.

“We are committed to creating a place that inspires hometown pride and invites new energy into our downtown,” Managing Director of Real Estate at McCombs Enterprises Jon Wiegand said. “A portion of the building’s apartments will be offered with affordable rents to provide homes for artists, teachers, restaurateurs, nurses, first responders, and others whose life stories make up the fabric of our city.”

Renderings for the shared spaces are included below.

The full team behind  Tower Life Residences includes Ed Cross, Jon Wiegand, Front Porch Design Group, Alamo Architects, Jordan Foster Construction, and J Jeffers & Co. All are San Antonio or Texas-based.

Those interested in learning more about the project can follow the building’s official Instagram or website.