Celebrating 20 Years of TBG San Antonio
From civic spaces to educational campuses, from the River Walk to West Texas—TBG San Antonio has spent 20 years translating ideas into meaningful places. This timeline celebrates the key moments which grew our practice—from office moves and project launches to leadership shifts, partnerships, and the culture we’ve cultivated along the way.
San Antonio in 2005 was on the cusp of change.
The River Walk was extending beyond downtown, public investment in parks and streetscapes was gaining momentum, and cultural institutions like the McNay and Pearl Brewery were entering new chapters of growth. While the city still carried the rhythm of a slow-and-steady Texas town, early signs of density, civic ambition, and cultural resurgence were bubbling up.
It was in this climate of quiet transformation that TBG saw an opportunity—to contribute to the evolving identity of San Antonio by designing places rooted in both community and ecology. The San Antonio office opened its doors in 2005 with a big vision, and a deep belief in the power of place.
This timeline begins in that moment and highlights two decades of built work, collaboration, leadership, celebration, and care.
2005–2010 | Foundations + Firsts
2005
– TBG San Antonio office opens in the Renaissance Building at 70 NE Loop 410.
2007
– McNay Art Museum addition completed in collaboration with Ford, Powell & Carson.
2008
– JW Marriott Resort Hotel project completed—marking one of the office’s first large-scale hospitality landscapes.
2009
– Renovation begins at the historic Southwest School of Art campus.
2011–2015 | Growth + Groundwork
2012
– Woodlawn Lake Park improvements kick off with the 2012 Bond Program.
2013
– Frost Bank Corporate Office design begins in Westover Hills.
2014
– South Texas Medical Center Master Plan completed.
– TBG relocates to 1221 Broadway in the River North District, marking a new chapter in our firm’s urban presence and practice.
2015
– Trinity University Alum and Future San Antonio Managing Principal, Elaine Kearney joins the San Antonio office, bringing a growth mindset and design vision.
2016–2020 | Civic Impact + Cultural Energy
2016
– TBG begins pro bono planning and design efforts for Dignowity and Lockwood Parks including extensive community outreach and engagement with Public Space East.
– The Flats at Big Tex open in King William District.
2017
– Dignowity-Lockwood Park awarded design contract via 2017 Bond.
2018
– TBG begins a tradition of designing Fiesta medals and hosting a Fiesta party in the Broadway office courtyard as part of a beloved San Antonio city-wide tradition.
2019
– Office relocates to 430 Austin Street in the heart of San Antonio’s East Side—an area rich in history, creativity, and community energy where we can deepen our investment in downtown revitalization and bring new life to a building with historic bones.
– Floyd Curl Greenstreet at the Medical Center; ’68 Apartments at Hemisfair open.
– Brooks Master Plan update and guidelines complete.
– Alamo Heights Streetscape + Downtown Lubbock Master Plan projects launch.
2020
– Hamilton Wolfe Greenstreet design begins creating key bike and trail connections within the South Texas Medical Center.
– Lubbock Master Plan unanimously approved by City Council—a major planning milestone.
2021–2023 | Urban Design + Regional Reach
2021
– Weston Common breaks ground creating an urban green space in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
– 200 Austin Highway (with Studio8) honored by San Antonio Business Journal as Best Small Office Development.
– Dignowity-Lockwood Park breaks ground bringing community-driven design, infrastructure improvements and green space to San Antonio’s historic East Side.
– Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk opens in downtown.
2022
– Director of Urban Design, Samantha Whitney joins TBG, widening the firm’s focus to include the practice area of urban design across all market sectors.
– Texas ASLA Merit Awards for Downtown Lubbock Master Plan + Texas Organ Sharing Alliance.
– Main Plaza Master Plan begins with the Main Plaza Conservancy.
– Design contracts awarded for: New Medical Center Park (2022 Bond); Ella Austin Renovation (with WestEast Design); Basila Frocks Renovation (with Overland Partners); Community Bible Church Master Plan (with Alamo Architects)
– Methodist Triangle Master Plan launches.
2023
– Pearl Master Plan begins in partnership with Overland Partners.
– Construction documents completed for Lubbock Civic Park.
– Design begins on a new camp and welcome center in Leakey, Texas for the H.E. Butt Foundation.
– Alamo Colleges’ Southside Education and Training Center, designed with Lake Flato, opens.
2024 marked a pivotal transition.
TBG San Antonio moved into The Allen Building, a historic Monte Vista structure known for its elegance and neighborhood charm. More than a change in scenery, the relocation symbolized the team’s evolution: into a mature design practice of 12 full-time employees embedded in the city’s fabric.
The space underwent a thoughtful renovation—balancing historic character with modern design and functionality. It now serves as a collaborative hub for our growing team, a showcase of our design values, and a canvas for continued creative momentum.
2024–2025 | Looking Forward
2024
– Office moves to The Allen Building in Monte Vista—continuing a legacy of inspiring creative environments.
– Engaged by the City of Alamo Heights on public realm beautification such as Broadway & Ogden Lane.
2025
– South Texas Medical Center Master Plan update underway casting vision for the next 10 years of growth and development as a significant economic driver and leading healthcare hub.
– Design work begins on Missions Ballpark, a future downtown destination for sports and community on the banks of San Pedro Creek.
– Announced that Elaine Kearney has been elected to the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows, to be invested at the ASLA conference in New Orleans in October.
Onwards
As we celebrate our 20th year, we reflect on the people, partnerships and projects that have shaped our city and our firm. Our commitment to San Antonio is stronger than ever: to create equitable, sustainable public spaces; to deepen our role in civic and cultural life; and to mentor the next generation of designers who will carry this work forward.
Whether we’re sketching ideas at a team charrette, walking a site in the Hill Country, or attending a neighborhood meeting on the East Side—our goals remain the same: to listen, to collaborate, and to design with purpose.
Here’s to the next 20!