A developer in San Antonio has taken steps to demolish the building that once housed the Antiquarian Book Mart at 3127 Broadway. The demolition request was filed by Harper/Huddleston on December 31 and is currently being reviewed by the city’s Office of Historic Preservation. A decision from city staff is expected in February, according to a report by the San Antonio Business Journal.
The site falls within a River Improvement Overlay district, which imposes additional requirements aimed at preserving the character and development patterns along the San Antonio River. However, unless city staff decide further review is necessary, the demolition proposal will not automatically go before the Historic and Design Review Commission.
Harper/Huddleston acquired the property from Bob Kellel, owner of the former bookstore, in 2023. The purchase included both the Antiquarian Book Mart and an adjacent Half Price Books building and parking lot. Both businesses closed after the sale, opening up a significant stretch of Broadway frontage.
In March 2024, Harper/Huddleston also purchased a neighboring building at 3125 Broadway that previously housed W.D. Deli. The company did not respond to inquiries regarding its future plans for these properties.
Redevelopment continues to reshape Lower Broadway as more high-density projects emerge. Last year, The DoSeum bought nearby land for possible expansion after it had been occupied by restaurants Good Time Charlie’s and Taco Cabana. Meanwhile, construction has started on Terry Black’s BBQ’s mixed-use project farther north at 2100 Broadway Street; this includes a restaurant, hotel with spa facilities, and underground parking.
Other large developments are also underway or planned for San Antonio’s urban core. GrayStreet Partners and Fulcrum Development are collaborating on a 15-acre mixed-use BESA District in Government Hill, while Sandstone Developments recently converted Ranch Motel into a boutique hotel.
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