The Vistana

Ed Cross has been named in an article entitled "A Decade of INFLUENCE - 10 places & people that have improved Downtown San Antonio," by Bill Conroy, editor of the San Antonio Business Journal. His larger than life style and enthusiasm for sharing with students was evident in this project as we explored many different spaces with him.

This huge development in downtown San Antonio started as a parking garage of all things, and little bit by little bit it was upgraded until it now covers a full city block, has 247 apartments for rent, 4 level parking garage, storage, and a the floor is all retail space.

The project is 530,000 square feet in size.

The Apartments are loft style, well-lit, have access to a rooftop pool and fitness center, and are finished with granite and other high end materials. The ceiling height is enough to illicit the coveted "wow" response when you first walk inside.

His Tower Apartment, is the icon of the building, visible from the street level. It is a huge 3 level apartment with 360 degree balconies surrounding 2 of the levels. Being rented for $7000 per month, it was available for our viewing, a fact for which I am grateful. This apartment would be wonderful for entertainment of guests and other social functions.

The retail on the project is sadly empty at the moment, as Ed Cross and his agents seek a suitable tenant.

This project is a ways away from the norm for this developer who got started doing warehouse space as he discovered that the Tenant Improvements on retail and maintenance on office blocks have a detrimental effect on the ROI he could receive. He states "all you have to do is sweep it" in reference to the process of getting the warehouse space ready for the next tenant.

He entertained 2 mythical tenants in his planning phase, Nurse Betty, who works at the local hospital; and the knuckle Head. This young man is single, under 25 and fond of dropping large objects down the trash chute among other mischievous deeds. Having this focus allowed him to build to suit the needs of both (security and safety for Betty and unbreakable trash chutes for the other one)

The finance on this project is long term, fixed rate from a life insurance company, which has helped him weather the storm in the financial markets.

He volunteered as a guide for the DTA, a downtown association that ushered guests through various buildings in the downtown area for tourism. This he said was a great way to conduct focus groups as he would ask them after touring a building what they thought of the project.

One small issue that will be a benefit for the next project is that he overestimated the parking requirements for the the project. As such, he can use these extra spaces when he builds something new next door.

Rooftop Pool