Living in downtown San Antonio puts you close to the River Walk, the city’s historic neighborhoods and its restaurant scene. King William, Southtown and Pearl are three downtown-area neighborhoods buyers and renters often ask me to compare.
King William Historic District
King William was platted and subdivided during the 1850s and 1860s. Ernst Hermann Altgelt named King William Street after King William I of Prussia. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and several of its homes were designed by architect Alfred Giles. Landmarks in the district include:
- The Edward Steves Homestead
- Groos House
- King William Park and its 1892 bandstand
- The King William stretch of the River Walk
Southtown
Southtown, which includes King William, is known as San Antonio’s arts district. The Blue Star Arts Complex fills a converted warehouse with galleries and studios, and First Friday, established in 1994, is a monthly art walk.
Pearl
Pearl is a former brewery district; brewing there ended in 2001. Today the district includes restaurants, a farmers market, the Culinary Institute of America San Antonio and Hotel Emma. The hotel occupies a historic Pearl brewhouse that its operator dates to 1894. The River Walk’s Museum Reach connects Pearl to downtown.
Homes and schools
Compare historic houses in King William with the surrounding downtown and Pearl areas. Historic districts have their own rules for exterior changes, so ask before you plan a renovation. School district lines do not necessarily match city lines, so always confirm the school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Getting around and JBSA
Downtown sits at the center of San Antonio’s highway network, including I-35, I-37, I-10 and US 281. JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is just northeast of downtown.
Explore more of San Antonio
Compare other areas in my San Antonio neighborhoods guide, search San Antonio homes for sale, see houses for rent, or read my JBSA PCS guide and VA loan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the King William Historic District?
A historic neighborhood near downtown San Antonio, platted and subdivided during the 1850s and 1860s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Where is Pearl in San Antonio?
Pearl is a former brewery district connected to downtown by the River Walk’s Museum Reach. It has restaurants, a farmers market and Hotel Emma.
Is downtown San Antonio close to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston?
Yes. JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is just northeast of downtown San Antonio.
Sources
- King William Historic District (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_William_Historic_District
- Visit San Antonio, Southtown: https://www.visitsanantonio.com/in-the-news/post/san-antonios-artsy-walkable-neighborhood-to-visit-has-victorian-vibes-and-great-eats/
- Southtown First Friday: https://southtownculturesa.com/first-friday
- Pearl history overview: https://www.trolleytours.com/san-antonio/the-pearl
- Hotel Emma history: https://thehotelemma.com/overview/history/
- City of San Antonio, Military Installations: https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/MVAD/Military-Installations
Ask Cathy About Downtown San Antonio
Questions about streets, schools, commutes or homes here? Ask away.