Visionworks Ditches Downtown SA Headquarters

A prominent eyewear firm is leaving its longtime office space in downtown San Antonio for smaller digs in Far North Central.

Visionworks plans to occupy just under 30,000 square feet in the RidgeWood Park Office Campus at 19100 Ridgewood Parkway. In the process, it will exit its 150,000-square-foot space in IBC Centre I and II, the San Antonio Business Journal reported. Visionworks expects to complete its move by the end of 2024.

“Like many companies who transitioned part of their workforce to a remote model, we no longer need as much office space as we have today. Given that, the Visionworks headquarters will move to a smaller space in San Antonio at the end of this year, optimized for onsite and hybrid employees,” a company spokesperson told the outlet.

The RidgeWood Park Office Campus is a 2-building, 618,000-square-foot office complex anchored by Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Completed in 2009, the property consists of two high-rise elements, a 14-level tower known as Building I and a seven-level tower referred to as Building II.

Visionworks’ decision is part of a larger pattern of businesses reevaluating their need for large office spaces. For instance, USAA opted to vacate its office space in the 300 Convent Street and One Riverwalk Place skyscrapers at the end of 2022.

While some companies are leaving downtown, there are also signs of renewed interest in the area. The University of Texas at San Antonio recently announced plans to purchase an 18-story office building at 700 North Saint Marys Street. The building will be used to house academic departments and support staff.
In May, Amegy Bank revealed it would increase its office footprint by moving its Central Texas headquarters to the 28-story building at 300 Convent Street.

— Andrew Terrell