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San Antonio’s urban scenery is changing so fast it’s liable to give you whiplash.
Some of those changes have been for the better. Others, eh, not so much.
The Alamo City’s food scene just gets better and better, for example. There are also more downtown living options, and we’ve gained great nightlife options in the form of world-class music venues and bars. At the same time, we’ve lost cherished local landmarks, and housing costs are quickly outstripping many longtime residents’ wages.
Here’s a before-and-after look San Antonio’s growth over the past 15 or years. Some of these spots are literally unrecognizable from how they looked back in 2007.
All photos via Google Maps.
Then – 2007
White Rabbit
2410 N. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Paper Tiger
2410 N. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Retail Storefront
2720 McCullough Ave. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Barbaro
2720 McCullough Ave. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Municipal Auditorium
100 Auditorium CircleNow – 2021
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
100 Auditorium CircleThen – 2008
Witte Museum
3801 BroadwayNow – 2021
Witte Museum
3801 BroadwayThen — 2011
E&E’s Mexican Restaurant
2731 S. WW White Road Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
2M Smokehouse
2731 S. WW White Road Credit: Google MapsThen — 2011
Residence
302 Montana St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Cherrity Bar
302 Montana St Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Hays Street Bridge
803 N. Cherry St.Now – 2021
Hays Street Bridge
803 N. Cherry St.Then — 2011
C4 Workspace
1001 S. Alamo St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Little Em’s Oyster Bar
1001 S. Alamo St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Parking Lot
111 W. Houston St.Now – 2021
New Frost Tower
111 W. Houston St.Then — 2007
Paved Lot
310 W. Mitchell St.Now – 2021
Confluence Park
310 W. Mitchell St.Then — 2007
East Dewey Storefront
621 E. Dewey Place Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Hi-Tones
621 E. Dewey Place Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Former St. Scholastica Convent
1111 S. Alamo St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Liberty Bar
1111 S. Alamo St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Parking Lot
115 Lexington Ave.Now – 2021
Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk
115 Lexington Ave.Then — 2007
Empty Retail Storefront
710 S. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Maverick Texas Brasserie
710 S. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
HA Franz & Co. Vending Machine Supplier
1811 S. Alamo St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Camp Outpost Co.
1811 S. Alamo St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Empty Lot
107 W. Houston St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Pinkerton’s Barbecue
107 W. Houston St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Enchilada Warehouse & Cantina
2114 N. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Lonesome Rose
2114 N. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Broadway News
2202 BroadwayNow – 2021
Broadway News
2202 BroadwayThen — 2007
Empty Lot
1503 N. Main Ave. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Luther’s Cafe
1503 N. Main Ave. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Pearl Brewery
136 E. Grayson St.Now – 2021
Hotel Emma, The Pearl
136 E. Grayson St.Then — 2011
Undecorated St. Mary’s Street underpass
1700 Block N. St. Mary’s St.Now – 2021
Murals at Midtown
1700 Block N. St. Mary’s St.Then – 2007
Car Dealership
2800 BroadwayNow – 2021
The DoSeum
2800 BroadwayThen — 2007
Washington Mutual
5033 NW Loop 410, Suite 182 Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Jollibee
5033 NW Loop 410, Suite 182 Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
San Pedro Creek
715 Camaron St.Now – 2021
San Pedro Creek Culture Park
715 Camaron St.Then — 2007
Empty Lot
7280 UTSA Blvd. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Sand Box
7280 UTSA Blvd., Suite 109 Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Vaqueros Bar
622 Roosevelt Ave. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
El Luchador
622 Roosevelt Ave. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Southtown Cafe
1127 S. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
The Good Kind Southtown
1127 S. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
The Beach
231 E. Cevallos St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Dos Sirenos Brewing
231 E. Cevallos St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Former Peden Iron & Steel Co.
1401 S. Flores St.Now – 2021
Steel House Lofts
1401 S. Flores St.Then – 2007
Krazy Kat Music
3020 N. St. Mary’s St.Now – 2021
Plant Shoppe and Ink Couture Tattoos
3020 N. St. Mary’s St.Then — 2007
Jack in the Box
3315 San Pedro Ave. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Mr. Juicy
3315 San Pedro Ave. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Industrial Site
430 Austin St. Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
Burleson Yard Beer Garden
430 Austin St. Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Broadway Strip Mall
8305 Broadway Credit: Google MapsNow – 2021
La Panadería
8305 Broadway Credit: Google MapsThen — 2007
Former Riata Cadillac Dealership
317 Lexington Ave.Now – 2021
Cadillac Lofts
317 Lexington Ave.