San Antonio’s Southside is continually growing and building its community and its business hubs. As spring breaks into summer, and as the neighborhood wraps up Fiesta 2026, developments and renovations in San Antonio bring new opportunities. From South Texas’s first arboretum to new places to dine and shop, these projects offer you new options to explore and enjoy the Southside this summer.
UIW Founders Hall
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Broadway Campus’s Founders Hall has been undergoing a several-phase renovation. Beginning in 2019, the first phase of the project is nearing completion and should be open in fall 2026. Upon completion, it will house several innovative programs and essential offices, including:
- The School of Media and Design
- The School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
- The Student Health Center
- UIW International Affairs
- UIW Police Department
- Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas
The expansion to UIW’s Founders Hall will support the over 9,000 students enrolled around the world and add another impressive university to San Antonio’s already vibrant post-secondary offerings. Its goal is to strengthen local and international connections with a focus on new student arrivals, increasing opportunities, and innovation.
Arboretum San Antonio
San Antonio’s commitment to the environment comes to life with the opening of Arboretum San Antonio. With a citywide goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, the addition of the arboretum will provide a framework for sustainability and a return on investment for the environment.
What was a golf club has been transformed into a 200-acre space for San Antonio’s trees. Although Arboretum San Antonio is expected to open fully in a few years, it held its inaugural Fiesta event on April 26th.
The arboretum is expected to have numerous beautiful locations and features, including the Bexar County Park and playground, the pond plaza, a twin oak gathering, the nature center and amphitheater, the south trailhead, and research fields. With an average of 250 sunshine days a year, the arboretum is the perfect setup to enjoy one of many outdoor adventures.
JCB Facility
The project for the new JCB facility broke ground in June 2024 and is expected to begin production in late 2026. The facility is 720,000 square feet and is built on a 400-acre plot of land. It plans to hire 600 workers in 2027 and is expected to employ about 1,500 people overall. JCM is the world’s largest construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer that is privately owned.
With this addition, San Antonio will be able to continue developing with local workers provided by a local company, both keeping money in the local economy.
San Antonio Airport Projects
While San Antonio offers something for everyone, a getaway, a family adventure, or even a business trip might mean passing through the San Antonio Airport. If that’s the case, be sure to check out the newly finished renovation of Terminal A or the soon-to-be-completed construction on Terminal C.
Terminal A was completed in March 2026. This added three gates and created 37,000 square feet of space. The airport has also designed and begun creating a new parking garage and a ground transportation center.
In Terminal C, there will be more support for passengers moving in and out of San Antonio, with more options for international and domestic flights. Terminal C is expected to have 18 gates and an additional 850,000 square feet of space.
Sage Business Park
Sage Business Park opened in March 2026, providing commercial, retail, and industrial workspaces in Southside. Companies, contractors, sellers, and small businesses can rent locations that are secured in warehouses and other spaces that offer ways for businesses to grow. The complex helps entrepreneurs and existing businesses continue to grow in an ideal location.
Alamo Plaza and Area
While there is still ongoing work in the Alamo Area, several areas have finished construction. The Texas Cavaliers Education is slated for its grand opening at the end of April 2026, and the Paseo del Alamo is expected to be completed in the summer. This connects the Alamo to the San Antonio Riverwalk, one of the many outdoor areas for families. The Alamo Visitor Center & Museum had its topping-out ceremony in March 2026 and is scheduled to open in the next couple of years.
University Health Hospitals
San Antonio’s healthcare landscape is entering a major new phase, and University Health is leading the charge with one of the most significant medical expansions in the region. Known for its comprehensive care and growing network, the system is investing heavily in the Southside, bringing increased access, modern facilities, and long-term economic impact to the community.
As part of this expansion, University Health is developing two new hospitals, including the highly anticipated Palo Alto Hospital on the Southside. Construction began in January 2024, and the hospital is expected to begin opening phases in 2027. Once complete, the facility will offer:
- 166 beds initially, expanding to 286 beds
- A 24/7 emergency department
- Advanced radiology and imaging services
- A full labor and delivery unit
- On-site laboratory and pharmacy services
- Inpatient care units
- A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- A newborn nursery
In addition to the hospital project, University Health has already expanded its footprint with the opening of University Health Vida, a 60,000-square-foot community health center on the Southside. This facility provides essential outpatient services and represents an early step in a broader effort to improve healthcare access in one of San Antonio’s fastest-growing areas.
Together, these investments position University Health as a driving force behind both improved patient care and continued development across the Southside.
New Restaurants, Shops, and Social Spots to Watch in San Antonio
San Antonio’s scene is heating up in 2026-2027 with exciting additions like Pinthouse Pizza San Antonio, a massive new brewpub serving craft beer and scratch-made pizzas, alongside stylish retail newcomer Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott and cozy café concept Haraz Coffee House bringing fresh energy to local neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, social and entertainment-driven spots like Pitch 25 San Antonio are adding to the city’s growing list of destinations, giving residents and visitors even more reasons to explore what’s new across San Antonio.
Toyota Rear Axle Plant
The new factory Toyota opened in Southside broke ground in 2024 and is close to beginning full production. The plant is currently in the hiring process, expected to add 400 or more employees to the plant over the next year or more. It is expected to have full functionality by 2027. This only furthers the manufacturing and industry growth in the area.
Brand New Developments in San Antonio’s Southside
Many new projects are resolved or entering the last steps of their plan, but Southside is anything but stagnant. Development and the hub of innovation in the area continue to grow. Several companies and projects have been established or have recently broken ground in the area, including:
- SAT’s 3,000-space parking garage and transportation center, beginning construction in late 2026
- The Alamo Area began preservation of the Alamo church in 2026
- Sanko, a Japanese manufacturing company that manufactures plastic containers and pallets for logistics and transportation operations, broke ground in February 2026 for a $40 million Southside facility that could employ up to 300 and is expected to be completed in 2027
- Plans by Industrial Electric Manufacturing to begin a $200 million manufacturing plant at Brooks in Southside are expected to bring 3,000 jobs to the area.
- An anticipated Domino’s, which is thought to be opened in 2027
While this continued city and neighborhood development creates overcrowding concerns for some locals and small business owners, there are still benefits to bringing new jobs and new opportunities to the Southside for many people.
Exploring New Southside Locations as the Community Grows
From the newly populated La Picosa at Brooks Town Center to the recently opened chain restaurant Bojangles on 3003 SW Military Drive, and from the growing Alamo Area to the flourishing arboretum, there are numerous places throughout Southside to shop, eat, and enjoy yourself. For the community at VIDA, development offers opportunities to explore.