H-E-B tech facility plans approved
H-E-B’S plans to add a new technology center at its headquarters received conceptual approval Wednesday from a city panel.
The San Antonio retailer wants to build a 170,000-square-foot building with room for up to 1,000 employees on a parking lot at 646 S. Flores St. H-E-B announced it August it would hire 500 workers to staff the facility and consolidate its local digital workforce under the same roof.
Along with offices and conference rooms, the building designed by San Antonio-based Lake|flato Architects will include an amphitheater, multiple courtyards and a juice and coffee bar. Construction is expected to start by summer 2020 and wrap up in summer 2022.
Rene Ruiz, who lives across from H-EB’S headquarters, told the Historic and Design Review Commission he was concerned about big rigs using a bike lane improperly and dumpsters sitting in the lane.
Todd Piland, executive vice president at H-E-B, said he thought they had addressed the issues but that if not, they would.
The commission, an 11-member group appointed by the City Council, OK’D the initial designs Wednesday with stipulations, including that the company provide a detailed landscaping plan and screen mechanical equipment from view.
The structure’s height would be 96 feet, exceeding what the area’s zoning allows, so the company may need a variance from the Board of Adjustment. The building will be between four and five stories, plans indicate.
The commissioners will evaluate the project again at a later date for final approval.