The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) had plans to demolish the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) in the summer of 2025 to make way for a new downtown Spurs stadium and a redevelopment project called Project Marvel. However, a new development may slow down these plans as the Texas Historical Commission named the ITC a state antiquities landmark during a recent hearing.
This designation provides more protections for the building, making it necessary to preserve and find alternate uses for the structures involved. Despite this, UTSA officials have stated their intention to move the museum, demolish the building, and sell the land.
The ITC building is one of the last remaining structures from the city’s HemisFair ’68, and it was intended to be a permanent structure, not a temporary one. The UT System acquired the building and surrounding acres after the fair closed in 1968, and in recent years, they have explored ways to make use of the structure before deciding on demolition.
UTSA plans to move the collection housed in the ITC building to the Frost Tower temporarily, with a new Institute of Texan Cultures to be built in either of two downtown locations. One potential site is near the Crockett Hotel, across from the Alamo grounds. The other location is near the Southwest Campus, offering connections to arts resources and the downtown public library.
The decision to designate the ITC as a state antiquities landmark has sparked discussions and debates about the future of the building and its historical significance. Preservationists and advocates for Texas history are pleased with the protections that come with this designation, while UTSA officials remain committed to their plans for redevelopment.
As the process unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the various stakeholders navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the historical status of the Institute of Texan Cultures. The future of the building and its place in San Antonio’s history hang in the balance, with decisions to be made that will impact the city’s cultural landscape for years to come.