1221 Broadway, in San Antonio, Texas, is the adaptive reuse of an abandoned concrete superstructure into a mixed-use development featuring 307 rental units and 10,000 square feet of office space. The project was developed by Area Real Estate and designed by Lake/Flato Architects with O’Neill Conrad Oppelt Architects Inc. Downtown restaurants and entertainment and recreational opportunities are within walking distance via the historic Riverwalk trail, adjacent to the property. At a minimal cost, the developer installed a multitool bike repair station, a B-cycle bikeshare station, and 100 outdoor bike racks.

On site, 1221 Broadway encourages exercise and physical fitness. The developer subsidizes yoga and workout classes in a covered, open-air parking structure featuring 360-degree views of the city. Gym equipment and studio flooring are also available in two additional fitness centers on the premises. Residents can swim year-round in a resort-style pool or a heated rooftop pool. Programmed events and informal gatherings are held in central courtyards, which feature communal tables, barbeques, and exterior staircases that create a collegial feeling among neighbors. An abundance of trees and floor-to-ceiling windows bring natural light, fresh air, and shade into the complex. A dog park at the north end of the site provides an additional gathering space for residents and the over one hundreds dogs living in 1221 Broadway. The success of 1221 Broadway has been a catalyst for commercial development in a previously derelict district.

Learn more about 1221 Broadway in this case study and in ULI’s Building for Wellness: The Business Case report.