S
an Antonio’s City Council approved a rezoning request from Headwall Investments LLC for a redevelopment project on the St. Mary’s Strip. The investment firm, headquartered near McCullough Avenue and East Ashby Place, plans to transform four bungalow‑style homes between East French Place and Rose Lane into a mix of retail and food‑and‑beverage venues. The project sits in Tobin Hill, a neighborhood north of I‑35, bounded by Highway 281 and San Pedro Avenue, and home to San Antonio College and a vibrant nightlife corridor on St. Mary’s Street.

    Headwall’s LinkedIn post on Oct. 20 announced the approval and highlighted the goal of adding daytime activity while complementing the Strip’s historic nightlife. The San Antonio Zoning Commission heard the request on Oct. 7. The rezoning seeks to convert the parcels for neighborhood commercial use through infill development—building on previously underutilized land within an existing urban area—and to add a parking lot behind a structure on the southern side of the site. Infill development encourages density and reuse of vacant land in cities.

    Headwall already owns two other infill projects: the Allen Portfolio on McCullough Avenue and the Zavell Portfolio on North Main Avenue. The new parking lot will be regulated by signage and fees, with landscape buffers and privacy fencing to separate it from nearby residences, according to attorney Ashley Farrimond, who represented Headwall at the meeting. Residents expressed concerns about parking and noise, noting that the area is a lively nighttime spot. Farrimond said the lot would be considered commercial and non‑commercial, and that a conditional stone wall would help mitigate noise.

    Details on tenants are still pending. Dr. Daniel Hansford Kellum Jr., District 1 commissioner, praised Headwall’s community investment and said he trusted the firm to manage neighborhood evolution and preservation. District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur echoed this sentiment, stating the Rose Lane project would revitalize the neighborhood, support new local businesses, and enhance the North St. Mary’s Strip’s character without exacerbating parking issues. She also mentioned ongoing monitoring of noise and other concerns with Headwall, the Development Services Department, and Tobin Hill stakeholders.

    The Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association approved the plan and zoning changes. Headwall has not yet responded to KSAT’s request for a project timeline.