On Friday, March 21, the Trinity University Real Estate Club had the unique opportunity to tour the redevelopment of the historic La Villita Assembly Hall in downtown San Antonio—led by Campbell Miller ’21 (pictured) and Bobby Magee ’21. The visit, organized by the club’s president, Roan Erwin ’26, gave students an up-close look at the intersection of development, history, and real-world application.
La Villita—San Antonio’s first neighborhood—dates back nearly 300 years. From its colonial roots near Mission San Antonio de Valero to its pivotal role in Texas’ fight for independence, La Villita has been home to generations of craftsmen, visionaries, and changemakers. In the 1930s, renowned architect O’Neil Ford began restoring this once-declining neighborhood into the cultural arts hub it is today. That same vision shaped Trinity University itself. Ford—who designed the University’s first master plan and more than 30 of our buildings—understood how architecture could inspire connection, learning, and community. His use of natural materials, thoughtful placement, and innovative lift-slab design still defines the spirit of our campus.
Today, that innovative spirit continues as Bobby Magee ’21 and Campbell Miller ’21 reimagine the Assembly Hall to better connect with the San Antonio River Walk, seamlessly linking Hemisfair, the Alamo Plaza, and UTSA’s growing downtown campus. Their team plans to create a unique food and beverage concept that elevates the River Walk and enriches the surrounding community. This redevelopment is more than just a facelift—it’s an effort to create a gathering place that merges the past, present, and future of the city.
For Trinity students, it's a powerful example of how a liberal arts education paired with real-world application can shape communities and bring visionary ideas to life. Trinity students continue to live by this experiential ethos—learning not just in classrooms but by engaging with the living, evolving city around them. Through hands-on experiences like this site tour and meaningful connections with alumni, Tigers are building the future while honoring the past.
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In the above image: The Real Estate Club poses in the street-level floor of the Assembly Hall, which will soon transform into a second-story food and beverage hall.