The next chapter is being written for Assembly Hall, the La Villita community hub built in 1958.
SAN ANTONIO — All the orange barrels aren’t just for show: Downtown San Antonio is in the midst of a major makeover.
From new hotels and the opening of Civic Park to a reimagined Alamo grounds and forthcoming Project Marvel development, the heart of the city is slowly but steadily writing its next chapter. Now residents and tourists have another reason to be excited—the creation of a food hall along the River Walk, the downtown attraction’s first.
Commercial real estate firm JLL this week said it had enlisted Escalera Capital and food hall operator Onset Hospitality to transform La Villita’s Assembly Hall – a historic, 67-year-old venue – into a hub for “chef-driven vendors, multiple bars and a robust lineup of cultural programming.”
Renderings for the project tease a modern, two-level gathering space with patios overlooking open areas and a family-friendly atmosphere for the hall which sits right on the river at South Presa and Villita Street.
“We see La Villita Food Hall as more than a place to eat; it’s a gathering space that celebrates San Antonio’s identity and creates memorable experiences for locals and visitors alike,” Jay Coldren, Onset Hospitality’s CEO, is quoted as saying in a release.
PHOTOS: Renderings of upcoming food hall at La Villita Assembly Hall
Onset Hospitality has overseen similar projects in New York City, Montreal, Baltimore and Washington DC, among other cities.
$1.3 million in tweaks are already underway at the nearby Arneson River Theater to bolster production values for events there. Those renovations include new sound and lighting equipment; total electrical improvements; and the additional of public Wi-Fi for visitors enjoying events like the Ford Holiday River and Day of the Dead parades.
The Pearl complex recently saw the debut of Pullman Market, a similar project, which is already getting national attention after one of its restaurants, Isidore, was cited by the New York Times as one of the country’s 50 best restaurants.
There’s no word yet on when the La Villita food hall may make its grand debut, and it’s unknown if any vendors have been secured for it as of yet.