One of San Antonio's iconic buildings is preparing to change hands, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The University of the Incarnate Word says it plans to buy the eight story, 350,000 square foot AT&T Building at Broadway and Hldebrand, righ across Hildebrand from the UIW main campus. The building, along with its 500 car parking garage and surrounding lot, has been a landmark at that well-traveled interchange for decades, and was central to the global operations of AT&T when San Antonio was the world headquarters of the telecommunications giant, before moving to Dallas in 2008.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that starts a new exciting chapter for this historic university and for San Antonio,” says Dr. Thomas M. Evans, UIW President. “We are so grateful to be afforded the opportunity to be good stewards of this property. With the headwaters of the San Antonio River located just a few yards away from the existing campus, this move further establishes our presence along the river and the busy growing Broadway corridor. Our plan is to be patient and meticulous about the development of this space and take the time to maximize its potential to best serve the entire community.”
UIW says the purchase will be 'transformational' for the fast growing campus, which recently opened its long planned School of Medicine at Brooks.
The AT&T board has agreed to sell the building, but a formal timeline on when the building will change hands has not been announced, and AT&T will continue to occupy the building until the sale is complete.
The AT&T employees who are currently in the building are expected to be moved to the AT&T facility across from the Tobin Center downtown.