Prior to the Fair’s opening the operating contract was awarded Tower Foods, Inc. The company was owned by Frontier Enterprises which also owns and operates several other local restaurants including Jim’s Restaurants. In the mid 1990’s the Tower’s restaurant and lounge were renovated for a more casual dinning experience. Tower Foods held the operating contract for HemisFair’s theme structure for nearly 36 years until loosing the contract to Landry’s in 2004.
Below are images of the tower after the Fair (Click on image for a larger view)
In 2004 Landry’s was awarded a multiyear contract to operate and maintain the famous landmark. Landry’s began by closing the tower for approx. one year to completely renovate all floors of the top house, clean & repair the shaft, and nearly triple the square footage of space located at the base. The base of the tower now includes a gift shop, coffee/snack bar and a 4-D movie showcasing the best of the Lone Star state. The renovation restored the top house restaurant to its original elegant dining atmosphere, and restructured the main observation deck floor plan to include two banquet rooms for the first time. For more information on the Tower since its reopening visit Texas Explorer online.
Here is a clipping from the San Antonio Express News covering the 2006 re-opening of the Tower (Click on image for a closer look)
In 2007 Landry’s changes the name of the Tower’s restaurant from “Eyes over Texas” to their signature brand “Chart House”.
In June 2008 the San Antonio Express News released an article filled with fun trivia about the Tower and its history titled: Quick Facts: Tower of the Americas
434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
