Ken Hack concedes that he didn’t cozy up to the idea of living downtown right away. He enjoyed his 5-acre Hill Country property with views and access to Medina Lake.
But after his wife Cindi listed all the perks — and secretly sold the family boat — he was convinced and made the move, first to the Judson’s Candy Factory Lofts and most recently to the Vidorra condos.
“For us, things are so much simpler and stress free,” Ken said. “We have so much more time together now. That time has allowed us enjoy so many things San Antonio has to offer that we would of never be able to do at the lake.”
While still in the early stages of popularity compared to major metropolitan cities, living downtown is drawing in more and more people who are lured by what the lifestyle has to offer.
Randy Cunningham, a real estate agent with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, said many of the people looking downtown find it alluring because of the opportunity to downsize.
As baby boomers become empty nesters, they look to move into smaller spaces that require less maintenance and fewer responsibilities, such as mowing the yard and cleaning the house.
Despite the gradual growth in downtown living options, it’s still a second thought to a lot of people.
“I think there needs to be this reintroduction to downtown,” said Cunningham, who got his introduction by selling units at La Cascada. “Downtowns, in order to thrive, really need residents. Texas has a unique personality, and it has a lot to do with the suburbs.”
Even he is considering the move downtown as his son nears graduation and he prepares for an empty nest. “A few years ago, you couldn’t have held a gun to my head and had me live downtown,” Cunningham said. “But now I’m actually considering it. It’s a little bit of a cultural transformation and a lifestyle transformation.”
For the Hacks, one of the big draws was cutting down on commuting and monthly gas expenses.
Combined, they drove more than 1,000 miles a week to and from work alone.
“We would lose around 2-3 hours of time with each other just because of driving,” Ken Hack said. “Now we lose 20 minutes. An eight-hour work day would turn into a 10-12 hour work day.”
So not only do they save on driving to work, but they’re able to take the bus or trolley around downtown to go out to eat and shop.
Of course, the proximity to amenities attracts many people downtown.
“Downtown has some historical areas that are real appealing,” Cunningham said. “There are restaurants all over the place. There’s arts and culture. Downtown has everything that people are looking for.” It’s also easy for people to interact with their friends when they all live in the same building or within walking distance.
“We now have a regular ‘Thirsty Thursday’ event at Vidorra where the homeowners get together for happy hour at a different downtown venue each week,” said Angela Rinehart, sales manager at the 20-story Vidorra condos, which opened last March.
In many of these downtown living spots, you have the comfort of a 24-hour concierge, which can come in handy for those needing help, or for those who want the assurance of leaving their home for long vacations or trips.
“We are also enjoying having the pool, fitness center, concierge and security that Vidorra has to offer,” said Sharon Manning, a real estate agent who also lives at the Vidorra. “It was a lifestyle choice for my husband and I (that) we made after our children left for college. It has freed us up to do the things we love, like going to Aggies football games, playing golf and trying new restaurants in the area.”
And if you think moving downtown will sacrifice your back porch views, think again.
“I have a skyline view of San Antonio that includes the Tower of the Americas,” Hack said.
The downtown life
Here are some of the newer downtown living options:
Vidorra
20 stories, 146 units
Near Sunset Station
Units start at $255,000
Units range from 1,000-3,866 square feet
www.vidorraliving.com
La Cascada
12 stories, 46 units
230 Dwyer Avenue
Units start at $500,000
Units range from 2,051-2,883 square feet
www.lacascadaluxury.com
Judson's Candy Factory Lofts
4 stories, 84 units
831 S. Flores St.
Units start at $174,000
Units range from 700-800 square feet
www.sweetcityliving.com
Alteza
147 units above the Grand Hyatt hotel
600 E. Market St.
Units start in the $300,000s
Units range from 800-6,400 square feet
www.altezalivingtx.com













