What San Antonio South Side Real Estate Development Means for Military Families in 2025

I've watched San Antonio evolve since my Air Force days, but what's happening on the San Antonio South Side real estate development front right now deserves your attention. This matters especially if you're PCSing to JBSA or looking to invest before the market catches up.

Builders FirstSource, a Fortune 500 building materials giant, just purchased 25.64 acres at the Frontera Logistics Supersite near I-35 and Somerset Road. They're planning a 93,000-square-foot manufacturing warehouse set to break ground early 2026. This isn't just another industrial park.

It's the first domino in what local developers are calling a "logistics supersite" that could reshape affordability, commute times, and long-term equity for military families on the South Side.

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Why the South Side Matters for Your PCS

The South Side has historically offered some of the most affordable housing in San Antonio. Median home prices sit around $215,000 compared to $319,000+ city-wide. That price gap is closing fast.

Between 2010 and 2023, the South Side population jumped 16 percent, over 52,000 people, driven by manufacturing jobs at Toyota with 3,700 employees, International's commercial vehicle plant with 600+ workers, and supplier networks employing thousands more.

Now add the Frontera Logistics Supersite to that equation. Koontz Corp. assembled 188 acres with infrastructure already in place and six more parcels ready to sell. Bart Koontz, the developer's CEO, told the San Antonio Business Journal that the site appeals to manufacturers looking to streamline supply chains from Laredo, just one stop sign from I-35 to the property.

Translation: more blue-collar and white-collar jobs, more families relocating, and upward pressure on home prices before inventory catches up. If you're stationed at Lackland, Randolph, or Fort Sam Houston and you've been weighing whether to rent or buy, this San Antonio South Side real estate development wave gives you a narrow window.

Prices are still reasonable. But once Fortune 500 firms signal confidence, the herd follows.

What This Development Means for Your Commute and Budget

Somerset Road sits roughly 15 minutes southwest of Lackland AFB and 25 minutes from Fort Sam Houston via I-35. The Frontera site is zoned for up to 2.8 million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. That means thousands of future jobs within a short drive of JBSA bases.

Here's why that matters for military buyers. Right now, neighborhoods near Somerset like the emerging areas around VIDA San Antonio and Brooks offer single-family homes starting in the low $200,000s. Compare that to Stone Oak or Alamo Heights, where you're looking at $350,000 to $500,000+ for comparable square footage.

Your BAH stretches further on the South Side. You're still within a reasonable commute. But there's a trade-off worth understanding.

The South Side school districts have lagged behind Northside ISD and North East ISD in ratings. Recent investments like University Health's 165-bed hospital and clinic opening at VIDA in 2027 are drawing higher-income residents and pushing infrastructure improvements. If you're looking at a three-year tour, buying now locks in today's price.

If you're planning to settle long-term, you're betting on continued growth that could double your equity by the time you retire.

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How Industrial Growth Shapes Military-Friendly Neighborhoods

When a Fortune 500 company buys land, they've done months of due diligence including traffic studies, labor market analysis, and supplier proximity research. Builders FirstSource didn't pick Somerset Road by accident. The I-35 corridor connects San Antonio to Austin, Laredo, and the entire Texas Triangle.

That makes it a magnet for logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, and advanced manufacturing. These sectors pay competitive wages and create ancillary service jobs that stabilize local economies.

For military families, industrial growth brings stability that defense contracting can't always match. Unlike federal budgets that ebb and flow, logistics and manufacturing diversify the local economy. That means steadier home values, better resale prospects, and less volatility when you PCS out.

I've worked with clients who bought near Brooks, the former Brooks AFB now a $2 billion mixed-use development, five years ago and saw 20-30 percent appreciation as the Southeast Side transformed into an economic engine.

The South Side is following a similar playbook. The Frontera Logistics Supersite already has infrastructure complete including roads, utilities, and entitlements. Developers won't wait.

Expect retail, restaurants, and multi-family housing to follow the jobs. The VIDA community is already adding townhomes, duplexes, and apartments from the low $200,000s to over $500,000, plus workforce housing funded by San Antonio's 2022 Affordable Housing Bond.

Timing Your Purchase: What the Data Says

San Antonio's housing market has cooled slightly in 2025. Average days-on-market stretched from 51 to 76 days on the South Side. That's good news if you're a buyer because you face less competition, gain more negotiating leverage, and find sellers willing to cover closing costs or offer concessions.

But the industrial momentum brewing at Frontera could flip that script by late 2026 once construction crews arrive and hiring ramps up. I'm not saying rush into a bad deal. I'm saying the San Antonio South Side real estate development story is accelerating, and the best opportunities disappear first.

Homes near major job centers appreciate faster because demand is structural, not speculative. When Toyota opened in 2006, nearby home prices tripled over the next decade. When Brooks redeveloped, household incomes in surrounding ZIP codes jumped 36 percent.

Frontera won't replicate those gains overnight, but the pattern is clear. Industrial investment seeds residential demand. If you're using a VA loan, your zero-down-payment advantage lets you enter the market with minimal upfront cost, and you can refinance later if rates drop.

If you're worried about resale, remember that military-friendly areas near JBSA always have a built-in buyer pool. Active-duty families, contractors, and retirees who understand the lifestyle create constant demand.

Neighborhoods to Watch on the South Side

If the Frontera news has you rethinking your PCS housing strategy, here are the South Side neighborhoods I'm tracking closely:

• Somerset/Von Ormy area: Closest to Frontera site with newer construction and easy Highway 90/151 access, prices under $300,000

• VIDA San Antonio: Master-planned community with homes from low $200,000s to $500,000+, on-site University Health facilities opening 2025-2027

• Brooks: Former Air Force base turned mixed-use development with $2 billion in projects and 5,000+ jobs, median prices lower than city average

• Southside/Villaret Commons: New gated residential community breaking ground in 2025, targeting families seeking affordability with security

Each of these areas offers something different. Somerset and Von Ormy give you proximity to Frontera's job growth. VIDA delivers amenities and healthcare access that improve quality of life.

Brooks appeals to those who want a live-work-play environment with historical Air Force ties. Villaret Commons suits buyers prioritizing safety and newer construction.

I recommend driving the neighborhoods during different times of day including morning commute, evening, and weekend hours to gauge traffic, noise, and neighborhood vibe. Use your VA loan pre-approval to act quickly when the right property surfaces. Inventory is still tight, and well-priced homes move within days.

What to Expect Next at Frontera

Builders FirstSource plans to start construction early 2026. Koontz Corp. has six more parcels ranging from 14 to 66 acres, all fully entitled and infrastructure-ready. Bart Koontz expects deals to accelerate now that a Fortune 500 anchor tenant has validated the site.

He's targeting global manufacturers and suppliers looking to avoid tariffs or simplify logistics from Laredo. That means more announcements in 2026, more job postings, and more families relocating to the South Side.

Retail follows rooftops, so expect grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants to cluster near I-35 exits. Schools will feel pressure to improve as higher-income residents move in, which could boost district ratings and property values over time.

For military buyers, this is the sweet spot. You're early enough to buy before prices surge, yet late enough that the development is real, not speculative. I've seen too many clients wait for "the perfect time" only to get priced out when the market shifts.

The perfect time is when you can afford the payment, the commute works, and the fundamentals point up. The San Antonio South Side real estate development story checks all three boxes right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the South Side safe for military families?

Safety varies by neighborhood like any urban area. VIDA San Antonio, Villaret Commons, and newer developments near Somerset Road offer gated communities with security features. Crime rates have decreased in areas with recent investment as infrastructure and services improve.

How does Frontera Logistics Supersite impact home values?

Industrial development typically increases nearby home values by creating jobs and attracting retail and services. Brooks saw 20-30 percent appreciation after redevelopment, and Toyota's arrival tripled nearby home prices over ten years. Frontera's 188 acres with Fortune 500 investment signals similar long-term growth.

Can I use my VA loan on the South Side?

Absolutely. The South Side has numerous VA-approved properties and lenders familiar with military buyers. Zero-down-payment VA loans work especially well here because lower median prices mean smaller monthly payments that fit BAH rates for Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston.

What's the commute from Somerset Road to JBSA bases?

Somerset Road to Lackland AFB is roughly 15 minutes via Highway 90 or Highway 151. Fort Sam Houston and Randolph AFB are 25-30 minutes via I-35 North depending on traffic. These commutes beat North Side neighborhoods during peak hours.

When should I buy if I'm PCSing to San Antonio?

Buy as soon as you're confident in your assignment length and financial readiness. With Frontera construction starting early 2026 and six more parcels ready to sell, prices will likely rise throughout 2026-2027. Days-on-market are currently favorable for buyers at 76 days, giving you negotiating power.

Final Word: Position Yourself Before the Market Moves

I'm not telling you to buy just because a Fortune 500 firm inked a deal. I'm telling you to pay attention to why they bought. Builders FirstSource analyzed labor markets, supply chains, tax incentives, and infrastructure before committing millions.

They see what's coming. The question is whether you'll position yourself to benefit or watch from the sidelines as prices climb.

San Antonio's South Side is no longer the overlooked corner of the city. It's becoming a logistics and manufacturing hub that will reshape housing demand, commute patterns, and long-term equity for military families. Whether you're PCSing in 2026 or planning to retire in San Antonio, understanding the Frontera Logistics Supersite and surrounding developments gives you an edge.

If you want to tour South Side listings, compare neighborhoods, or run the numbers on a VA loan, reach out. I'm Anthony Sharp, Air Force veteran, San Antonio Realtor, and someone who's guided over 110 military families through this exact decision.

Let's make your PCS move the smartest financial decision you've made this decade.

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