Hemisfair is seeking proposals from local businesses and entrepreneurs eager to launch or expand their concepts in downtown San Antonio. A leasing opportunity is now available at the historic Tynan-Sweeney House, a rare surviving example of construction dating back to 1868. The property sits in the Northwest Zone of Hemisfair along E. Nueva Street, directly across from La Villita, and is surrounded by some of the most vibrant cultural, residential, and commercial destinations in the city.
Businesses selected through this Request for Interest (RFI) will join Hemisfair’s dynamic tenant mix and benefit from access to high volumes of visitor traffic generated by the district’s parks, cultural programming, and neighboring attractions. Proposals are encouraged in the areas of retail, food & beverage, health & wellness, recreation, education, and the arts.
“The Tynan-Sweeney House is an extraordinary opportunity for a local business to be part of Hemisfair’s ongoing transformation,” said Melissa Robinson, Interim CEO of Hemisfair. “This historic home is ideally positioned to welcome downtown workers, residents, and visitors, while also contributing to the unique character and vibrancy of our district.”
A Premier Destination for Locals and Visitors
Since opening Yanaguana Garden in 2015, Hemisfair has welcomed more than 5 million visitors. In 2024 alone, the parks hosted 1.6 million guests, and year-to-date in 2025, attendance has already surpassed 824,000 visitors. Roughly half of visitors are from Bexar County, while 26% come from across Texas and 22% from out of state.
In addition to daily park-goers, Hemisfair is home to some of San Antonio’s most celebrated events, including Muertos Fest, Diwali San Antonio, La Semana Alegre, and Disco Alfresco, as well as hundreds of cultural programs and festivals annually. Nearby attractions such as the Tower of the Americas, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, UNAM, the Mexican Cultural Institute, La Villita, and the River Walk bring millions of additional visitors to the area each year.
Property Overview
Address: Tynan-Sweeney House, Hemisfair District located on E. Nueva St.
Square Footage: 1,675 sq. ft., including a covered front porch
Historic Significance: Built c. 1868, a rare surviving example of vernacular construction
Location Benefits: Parking lot located directly across the street and surrounded by retail tenants, residential apartments, the Peggy Mays Family Garden, and cultural landmarks
Rehabilitation: The Hemisfair Conservancy was awarded a Community Project Funding (CPF) grant, a congressionally directed investment administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to support the exterior and interior rehabilitation of the Tynan-Sweeney House; upgrades in progress include roof replacement, exterior plaster repair, window and door reconstruction, and installation of a courtyard-facing glass wall.
The rehabilitation process will ensure the building is tenant-ready, while select interior finish-out items will remain flexible to allow the incoming tenant to adapt the space to their needs, subject to historic preservation requirements.
Parking & Transit Access
The Tynan-Sweeney House is easy to reach, with a 61-space lot right out front, a public garage just down E. Nueva Street, and plenty of additional surface and street parking within a short walk.
Schedule of Key Dates
The RFI will be posted on August 26, 2025, with a site tour and pre-submittal conference on September 17. Proposals are due by October 13, after which Hemisfair will review submissions and conduct interviews the week of October 27. Selected tenants will be notified by the week of November 3, 2025.