There’s something great going on in San Antonio. New developments, and redevelopment of old places. The Pearl is going to be one of the best examples I’ve ever seen of reinventing an industrial area. It’s still in development, and so far there’s fantastic shops, amazing eateries, a Culinary Institute of America campus, and an amazingly unique place, the Hotel Emma. It’s on what’s known as The Museum Reach section of The Riverwalk. It would be easy enough to pick up a water taxi here to head downtown, if the mood strikes.
Built in 1881, the original brewery was the largest in Texas until Prohibition came along and changed to the product line to soft drinks and ice cream. Pabst occupied the space from 1985 through 2001. The Pearl reminds us of Liberty Station in San Diego, except rather than a defunct naval station, it’s a reinvented historic brewery. We wandered around a bit, noting to ourselves that we look forward to seeing the progress in a few years. The vibe is college town cool, with upscale apartments, shops, and restaurants all sharing the space, with the historic elements preserved.
Landscape elements use industrial parts as fountains, seating and shade, and tanks as planters.
Makes me want to sit a spell.
We stopped in and were given a tour by the manager at The Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden
Inside The Boiler House
These two doors are made out of actual wine barrels. Nice touch!
Upstairs at The Boiler House
If you look very closely, you’ll see actual boilers behind the bottles.
This star was commissioned for this space, as the owner’s original restaurant has one.
To see a cool stop motion video of the start-to-finish construction of The Boiler House, click here.
A different look at The Pearl chimney tower, just outside The Boiler House
Outside The Boiler House
The Emma’s courtyard entrance
Hotel Emma’s lobby. It’s difficult to capture the industrial-chic, uber cool feel of this hotel in a photograph. It’s a must-see place, if you ever have the opportunity.
The entrance to the bar just off the lobby
The bar area
These giant tanks have been repurposed as private seating inside the bar
Inside the giant tank. There’s a handy call button for service.
Just down this hall on the right is an open air kitchen. We supposed it’s used to service the small ballroom across the hall, or perhaps cooking demonstrations.
Small ballroom/conference room right off the main hall
Kitchen opposite the small ballroom that opens to the hallway.
On-site market and bakery
Industrial-chic market, deli, and bakery
Hotel Emma’s premier restaurant
Back to the lobby
Next stop: F.I.S.H. (more on that in a bit)
Keep looking up!