It’s been a decade in the making, and now the reality of VIDA is here. “On November 7th, 2019, SouthStar Communities gained unanimous approval by San Antonio City Council to buy and develop the land from the Verano Group, literally bringing VIDA to life,” said RVi Planning, a regional design firm that is partnering with SouthStar to bring VIDA to San Antonio’s SouthSide. “The achievement is a significant milestone for San Antonio and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, as plans for development in the area have been in the works for over a decade.”
VIDA is a new 600-acre master planned community adjacent to Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMU-SA) campus. Comprised of more than 5,700 residential units, it will also offer retail and an expansive trail system connecting the community to the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and healthcare services. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2020 with Phase 1 homes and retail anticipated to be completed in 2021.
“Walkability and connectivity are spearheading the design, offering residents internal connections as well as regional connections to Texas A&M University-San Antonio, future commercial districts, and eventually to San Antonio’s Mission Trail,” said RVi Planning. “The overall vision includes a community core, open space, plus a town center which will introduce new office space, shopping, dining, and event space to the area providing residents, students, university personnel, and area workers an easily accessible entertainment destination.”
The community’s location in the Texas A&M-San Antonio Area Regional Center just adjacent to the campus puts it within “one of San Antonio’s emerging activity centers” and makes it a “major catalyst for growth on the south side of the city,” said SA Tomorrow.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio is one of two “major economic assets” located in this part of town; The other is the Toyota manufacturing complex, which earmarked $391 million to expand its San Antonio truck factory in September—”the biggest capital infusion at the facility since the production line rumbled to life in 2006,” said the San Antonio Express-News. “However, less than 1% of area workers currently call the center home,” said RVi Planning. “RVi’s role is to create a design that will not only bring people together and facilitate the anticipated growth, but will also foster physical and social energy.”
VIDA’s 600 acres will include a range of residential units, including affordable single-family homes and townhomes, plus apartments and student housing—just one more way the masterplan will address a local housing shortage and support the explosive growth of the university. Texas A&M’s San Antonio campus currently has approximately 4,500 students but expects to grow to 25,000 by the year 2025.
About SouthStar Communities
VIDA is SouthStar’s sixth active development in Texas. The company invests, develops properties, and provides services including acquisition, entitlements, planning and development, project management, design oversight, marketing, branding strategy, and asset management. The company has developed some of the most successful and renowned communities in the country from Texas to Florida.
SouthStar Communities is also dedicated to supporting the military. The company has partnered with non-profit Operation FINALLY HOME to provide free lots and homes for wounded and disabled veterans. To date, 11 properties have been built for American heroes in SouthStar neighborhoods across Texas.
For more information on VIDA, visit livevida.com.