A San Antonio, Texas, skyscraper, the Tower Life Building, will see retail renovations begin on the ground River Walk level in July 2026.
Melanie Love Salazar/MySA
San Antonio is known for many historic landmarks. For those returning from their travels, passing by the Alamo or seeing the Tower of the Americas in the distance signals that they are home. One beloved structure, however, is undergoing major renovations, so locals visiting it may once again feel like tourists.
The Tower Life Building, located at 310 S. Saint Mary’s St., looms over the River Walk and, as the city’s tallest building, can be seen from miles away. Its design is reminiscent of the skyscrapers depicted in movies. Gargoyles, mysterious faces, and swirling patterns draw attention near the floor-level window ledges.
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It was built in 1929, yet many locals say they have never been past those gold double-doors. The 31-story property hasn’t sat idle since opening. It’s served as headquarters for the Third U.S. Army and for General Dwight D. Eisenhower, hosted the flagship Sears Roebuck Department Store, and, most recently, housed commercial and office space.
Now, the building will once again get a new life as developers add apartment units and retail space. Beginning Monday, July 27, crews will start construction on the street and river levels, allowing business owners to begin moving in and setting up their shops. When MySA visited the site earlier this month, equipment was already on site, and wiring ran out of the unit windows.
Construction at the Tower Life Building in San Antonio, Texas, is shown on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Melanie Love Salazar/MySA
Construction at the Tower Life Building in San Antonio, Texas, is shown on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Melanie Love Salazar/MySA
According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filing, project leaders are pouring $3.5 million into this remodeling project, which is expected to be completed in April 2027. Alterations at the site will be limited to 23,211 square feet, according to online records. Some exterior modifications will also be made.
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Online marketing flyers owned by Alamo Capital Advisors, McCombs Enterprises, and Ed Cross, all of whom have roles in the initiative, suggest that a restaurant could also be featured on the river level. The tenant lineup has not yet been announced. McCombs Enterprises did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
Tower Life Building San Antonio: What to know about the remodel
Of course, it’s part of a larger transformation, which the historic preservation entity, the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), says will cost $125 million. Developers have described the process as “adaptive reuse” and claim the building’s exterior and first-floor lobby will remain unchanged.
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Tower Life Residences will open in fall 2026. It will feature 242 luxury rental units and penthouses with wrap-around terraces, double-height living rooms, and mezzanines, MySA previously reported. Inside, renters will find custom millwork kitchens, spa bathrooms, whole-home sound systems and more. Shared amenities will include a library, lounges and rooftop gardens.
Rent prices have not been disclosed, but the Managing Director of Real Estate at McCombs Enterprises, Jon Wiegand, said in a past press release that “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.” You can learn more about projected pricing by clicking here.
Renderings for Tower Life Residences are included below:
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A rendering of the interior (workspace) of Tower Life Residences, opening in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2026, is shown.
Courtesy of Tower Life Residences
A rendering of the interior (library) of Tower Life Residences, opening in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2026, is shown.
Courtesy of Tower Life Residences
A rendering of the rooftop gardens of Tower Life Residences, opening in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2026, is shown.
Courtesy of Tower Life Residences
A rendering of the interior of Tower Life Residences (penthouse), opening in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2026, is shown.
Courtesy of Tower Life Residences
A rendering of the interior of Tower Life Residences (penthouse), opening in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2026, is shown.
Courtesy of Tower Life Residences
A rendering of the interior of Tower Life Residences, opening in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2026, is shown.
Courtesy of Tower Life Residences
New details reveal when residents can move into San Antonio’s iconic Tower Life Building, as it transforms into a mixed-use residential community.
al rendon/Courtesy of Tower Life Residences