Construction Worker Narrowly Escapes The Giant's Jaws
It’s a friendly maneater though, from early accounts. 
San Antonio’s Riverwalk will soon have a new extension called The Museum Reach, located from Lexington Ave. to Josephine. Highlights of the new construction include artist Carlos Cortes’ amazing fairy-tale grotto, packed with stalactites, waterfalls, and stone giants. Right on! The official opening is this Saturday, May 30th. Here are some construction progress photos for now. This weekend, I’ll have Part 2, with photos of the final results. Two more glimpses behind the cut.
Building The Beast
Beware The Man-Eating Soil Too
I am a little concerned how this fits with the “theme” of the river walk. I haven’t gone down to see it in person, so I am at a bit of a disadvantage on my comment, but from the pictures, it looks completely out of place, and I am shocked the city approved this.
It’s pretty far from the classic Riverwalk, up where the river crosses near Newell under I-35. From the street it is looking very cool. Cortez is a descendent of Dionicio Rodriguez who did some of the memorable Faux Bois sculptural piecing in town including the bridge in Brackenridge Park. It’s definitely fantastic, but I think it will be a good fit.
Hi, Ransom –
Paul’s right. It’s all good. This new addition is not a direct connection to the Riverwalk in downtown proper. It’s definitely off the beaten path in a part of town that could use the renewal and energy. I’d love to see more of this kind of creativity from my town, and besides that, it doesn’t upset any of the Riverwalk that you know and love. A win-win.
I agree – I’ve seen it (albeit so far only from street level prior to the grand opening) and I think it works. It’s whimsical and fantastical and surprising, but I think because there’s other public art in the area (i.e., the sunfish under 35), it seems to fit in. Besides the aforementioned historic connection of the faux bois dynasty. Kids are going to love it, too.
There’s also beautiful Palapa/tree bench at street level on Newell by the same artist that I’ve fallen in love with.
John, thanks for posting the little video. I’m looking forward to seeing it in person, hopefully tomorrow.
[...] style including Treehouse for the Witte Museum; a trellis on the River Walk and the massive Grotto (here and here) for the river’s Museum [...]