While chock-full of beloved, longstanding eateries, particularly a haven for Asian eateries, many of the buildings lining the sides of Harry Wurzbach Road are past their prime. But one stable community in this culinary landscape is at the center of a major facelift following a series of ownership changes that are shaking up the Northeast Side.
Driving along the eastern edge of Terrell Hills and Willshire Terrace in San Antonio can be a bit jarring for those familiar with the swanky homes of the latter, or for those who have traveled beyond the boundaries of Alamo Heights. Aging infrastructure spanning varying income brackets has created an investment limbo in the area. But one developer has acquired the Koreana building and neighboring storefronts, and is bringing them into the modern age.
“It’s a facelift, but it’s going to look very modern,” Kevin Estajlou, the real estate investor reworking the buildings housing Koreana and upwards of nine other commercial units, told MySA. “It’s going to come together pretty quick here soon.”
While it is still a construction site (and yes, Koreana is still open), the transformation is well underway. It was once a dingy, dark, single-story, L-shaped building that wrapped around the beloved Korean restaurant, a San Antonio staple since the mid-90s. But floor-to-ceiling storefront windows, rooftop expansions and a bright new off-white finish all lend to the vision of modernity and a brighter look described by Estajilou…