Newest downtown campus, One Riverwalk Place, opens for Roadrunners

AUGUST 21, 2025 — This month, The University of Texas at San Antonio opens the doors of One Riverwalk Place, the most recent acquisition supporting the university’s ongoing strategic expansion in downtown San Antonio.

Students, faculty and staff began moving into the building at 700 N. St. Mary’s St. in early August for the Fall 2025 semester.

UTSA completed the purchase of One Riverwalk Place in March, with the goal of supporting the university’s long-term vision and Campus Master Plan to promote community partnerships and provide meaningful opportunities to learn and work in the city's urban core.

One Riverwalk Place is part of a larger, long-term district planning initiative that supports the university’s downtown development while also examining space utilization at the Main Campus and Park West on San Antonio’s far Northside.

“Our new location in the heart of the city helps us better serve the profession as well as the members of our community.”

— Michelangelo Sabatino

The focus of the initiative is to ensure students, faculty and staff have the academic, research and infrastructure support necessary for success. This fall, the district planning team is expected to release a report that describes the strategic drivers behind the initiative, outlining the scope and methodology for the year-long district studies process and relaying the team’s key findings and recommendations.

“We are excited about this opportunity to continue the university’s expansion downtown,” said Veronica Salazar, executive vice president for business affairs and chief enterprise development officer. “One Riverwalk Place builds on our successful efforts to provide students with meaningful career-engaged learning opportunities as we position academic programs and support services downtown that benefit most from co-location with businesses and community partners.” 

The 18-story, 265,000-square foot building, located across the River Walk from the creative hub found at UTSA’s historic Southwest Campus, is the new home for the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s School of Architecture + Planning. This fall, over 900 students, faculty and staff will enjoy sleek new spaces on floors 7-12 of the building.

“Our new location in the heart of the city helps us better serve the profession as well as the members of our community,” said Michelangelo Sabatino, incoming director of the School of Architecture + Planning. “From this new urban platform, we plan to collectively reimagine more livable, more resilient and more beautiful cities.”

The building features a mixed-use, collaborative design that includes spaces for academics and experiential learning, as well as functional office space for support services. Study spaces are available in the fourth-floor student lounge and River Walk-adjacent patio areas.

Beverage and snack vending machines are located on the first and fourth floors, and plans are in the works to open a full-service food counter in the building next spring.

Students, faculty and staff have a variety of options for traveling to One Riverwalk Place, including the VIA bus service, which is free with VIA U-Pass. Additionally, VIA U-Pass holders take advantage of free rides within the VIA Link Downtown zone — ideal for those traveling from the Downtown Campus or San Pedro I.

Those who prefer to drive to One Riverwalk Place can access easy, convenient parking with appropriate UTSA permits at the connected One Riverwalk Place Garage or at the adjacent Southwest Campus.

More programs and services are expected to occupy One Riverwalk Place as the university continues to grow. In Spring 2026, the Institute of Economic Development will be housed in the building along with other academic programs and support services that will be determined in the coming months and years.

Leased spaces in the building could allow for enhanced partnerships with local businesses and retailers and offer convenience for students, faculty and staff.

— Elyse Brown