Another Union Plaza Building May See Renovation

Structure in Downtown El Paso is One Block from Ballpark

Union Plaza, one of Downtown El Paso’s most unique neighborhoods, could see the renovation of another of its historic buildings according to concept images posted online.

A Downtown El Paso structure in Union Plaza may see renovations soon, according to renderings posted online.  (www.loopnet.com)

The building, located at 500 San Francisco on the western edge of Downtown, is the current home of The Plum lounge and famously housed Club 101 several years back. Its current size is at about 11,700 square feet, but 13,181 square feet would be available to lease due to the expansion and renovation. Spaces will be for retail and restaurant uses.

Weekly Edition, Issue 68

The Weekly Edition, Issue 68 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Another Union Plaza Building May See Renovation
• UTEP Updates: Campus Work Centers on 'Transformation' Projects, Housing, Transportation, and Art

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Mixed-Use Project Set For Union Plaza

Development Includes Apartments & Retail with a Sunken Courtyard

Construction will soon begin on the transformation of a vacant Downtown El Paso building into a mixed-use structure with retail and apartment elements. The building, located at 513 West San Antonio Avenue, can be found in the historic Union Plaza district on the western edge of Downtown.

A new mixed-use project for Union Plaza in El Paso is getting underway. This rendering shows the building after completion. (Courtesy Liev Arch)

The long, narrow building will contain retail on the first and basement levels, with apartments on the second and third floors. A sunken courtyard will be created along the back of the building with landscaping and a water feature.

The vacant building in Union Plaza should
be transformed by spring of 2015.
(Courtesy Liev Arch)

According to the architect on the project, Carlos Lievanos of Liev Arch of El Paso, the structure dates to the early 1900’s. The renovation design maintains the historic character of the facade, with plans to restore the brickwork and add only a “Texas canopy” along the retail spaces on the street level. The canopy will help to showcase the retail spaces along San Antonio Avenue, he indicates, helping draw customers to the shops. Lievanos was also the architect on The Mix at Union Plaza project nearby.

Weekly Edition, Issue 64

The Weekly Edition, Issue 64 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Mixed-Use Project Set for Union Plaza
• Construction Update: San Jacinto Plaza Renovation Project
• Officials Break Ground on New Northwest El Paso Hospital

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'The Mix' Adds Downtown Housing

A new "upscale, urban" mixed use development has added 14 modern apartment units to Downtown's Union Plaza District. Octavio Gomez, founder/owner of Union Plaza hot spots such as 1914 Lounge, Brick and Mortar, and The Garden, has renovated a century-old building at 518 W. San Antonio Avenue and is calling it The Mix, as reported in this week's El Paso Inc.

Aside from the 14 apartment units, the space also contains thousands of square feet for retail/commercial uses. Four spaces have already been leased, one to an engineer's office, two to boutiques, and another to an art studio. Gomez says that most of the apartment units have also been leased. One-bedroom units rent for $600, a two-bedroom unit for $800, and a three-bedroom unit rents for “about $1,000,” according to Gomez. For an extra $50 a month, renters can reserve a parking space in an adjacent lot.

The total renovation cost Gomez around $1.5 Million. Housing has been an element largely missing from downtown revitalization, and interest in this project could spark additional development nearby.

Plan Presented to City Council for The Mix

Original El Paso Inc. article: http://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/article_cae7673a-616c-11e1-8457-001a4bcf6878.html
September 2011 El Paso Times article introducing the project*: http://www.elpasotimes.com/business/ci_18919070

*Please note: El Paso Times articles are available for a limited time online before they are archived.