Preserving St. Louis Hall

It’s been nearly 120 years since St. Louis Hall was first unveiled. In May 2012, faculty, staff, alumni and friends gathered again to rededicate the building after a year’s worth of improvement and preservation work.

Great lengths were taken to maintain the beauty and integrity of the Hall. Window air conditioners were removed and replaced with a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and improvements were made to safety, energy efficiency, functionality and appearance. A decorative iron railing on the roof was replaced, restoring the building’s original façade, and new front doors lead to a foyer where wood floors and a newly inlaid seal are found.

To emphasize the building’s original architecture, archways and decorative wood beams have been added, along with wood baseboards and wood panel long-leaf pine doors with decorative rosettes at the corners. Some ceilings were restored to their original heights, and full window heights are visible due to architectural pockets around every window.

All of that effort was most fitting, as St. Louis Hall is the face of the University’s enduring presence in San Antonio. You’re invited to see the building for yourself during your next visit to campus.