Goodwill San Antonio Expands Its Horizons with New Headquarters
San Antonio is buzzing with exciting news as a major player in the local nonprofit sector is making some significant moves downtown. Goodwill San Antonio has recently acquired the Rosa Verde Towers, a sprawling 141,000-square-foot, 11-story medical office building located at 343 W. Houston St.. This purchase is a game-changer for the organization, especially as it responds to the growing demands of its job training programs.
A New Home for Growth
According to records from Bexar County, this property was previously owned by a Chicago-based real estate investor but has now found a new purpose under Goodwill’s banner. The President and CEO of Goodwill San Antonio, Carlos Contreras, expressed the excitement surrounding this acquisition, stating that the organization had been searching for a larger space to accommodate the increasing number of individuals seeking training in various job sectors. Programs like nursing assistance, pharmacy technician training, and commercial driver’s license preparation are all in high demand.
Contreras emphasized that the current training facilities, which only span 7,000 square feet adjacent to their current headquarters, simply weren’t cutting it anymore. “We’ve been talking to our board for quite some time about both things: the level of need in the community and then our physical inability to really scale,” he explained.
Smart Financial Move
While the exact terms of the deal remain under wraps, it is known that Goodwill San Antonio managed to secure the property for under $40 per square foot. This is a prime example of making a savvy investment, particularly given the rising costs of real estate in urban areas. The strategic location in the downtown area was also considered a major plus, as many of Goodwill’s clients rely on public transportation. The area around downtown San Antonio is well connected by bus lines, making it convenient for those they aim to serve.
Future Plans
Not only will Goodwill San Antonio set up its new headquarters in the Rosa Verde Towers, but there’s also potential for leasing some of the space to other nonprofits that share a similar mission in job training. “We’ll likely move all of our administrative offices into that building,” Contreras added. This move promises to make collaboration and communication among employees much easier, as the current setup has posed a challenge for teamwork.
Speaking about the transition, Contreras said, “It’s really, really inconvenient right now for our employees to meet and talk and brainstorm and collaborate.” The new space offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance the organization’s operational efficiency.
Designing the Future
At the moment, the team is hard at work in the design phase with RVK Architecture, as they look to renovate the existing medical office layout to better fit the needs of Goodwill’s training programs. Contreras noted that the current building would require some significant adjustments to make the most out of the space. “A budget for a renovation will have to be worked out to open up the floor plans,” he stated.
This process is expected to involve a capital campaign, as funding will be necessary to facilitate the renovations. Excitingly, the Business Journal previously reported that the Rosa Verde Towers was slated for auction last year, but it seems that the building has found a more community-oriented new owner in Goodwill San Antonio. Instead of tearing down or constructing a new building, Goodwill has opted for a sustainable approach of retrofitting the space for their needs.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Goodwill San Antonio prepares to make this significant leap, it’s clear that all the pieces are falling into place for its future. The expansion aligns perfectly with their mission of providing access to life-changing job training programs. This shift is not just about increasing square footage; it’s about creating a hub for growth and opportunity that will serve the community for years to come.
The timeline for the move is still being finalized, but given their proactive steps thus far, it won’t be long before Goodwill San Antonio makes this optimistic transition to their new downtown headquarters.
