When I went to work as marketing director in the Braun Station neighborhood in 1985, much of the subdivision had already been built. Still to come was Braun Heights, appropriately named because of its higher elevation than the rest of the community.
Braun Heights was the culmination of all the efforts of Tommy Saunders, who began the original phase of Braun Station in 1974. The majority of the homes in Braun Heights are in the 2200 – 4000 square foot range, and when completed, were truly the culmination of dream come true for one of San Antonio’s finest developers, who truly cared for his community.
A San Antonio builder since 1949, Tommy had a vision of a community carved from the heavily-wooded terrain natural to the foothills of the Texas hill country. He foresaw a community of proud homeowners who would share his dream. The timing had to be right—the site carefully selected far in advance of development and construction. The land would have to be in its natural state when development began if he was to fulfill his dream.
In 1965, Tommy found his ideal location, just 5 minutes out Bandera Road from Loop 410, minutes from major employment centers. The gently sloping hills, native oak trees, and naturally landscaped country terrain abounded in the site that would one day be Braun Station. Construction began in 1974. It would be a long process, carefully planned to maintain the environmental integrity of the land.
“My entire life has been devoted to building homes in San Antonio,” Tommy Saunders said. “Braun Station makes it all worthwhile.
Each home in Braun Station was built on a lot that is custom-engineered up to 25% larger than in most of the surrounding neighborhoods to save the trees. This commitment has resulted in many uniquely styled homes.
Braun Station is a complete community. Activities are geared toward family life and maintaining the value of property. Two homeowner associations provide excellent control of community security and social functions. Within the community are an elementary school (Braun Station Elementary) from kindergarten through grade five, and a middle school(Coke Stevenson Middle School) for grades six through eight. Each of these schools are among the highest regarded schools in the Northside Independent School District.
Strategically located in the Braun Station community are three swim and tennis facilities, the third, which was opened in 1985, and is located on a park like setting, contains a private clubhouse for the use of Braun Station West residents and guests. In addition to a sports court and two tennis courts, the Braun Station West facility also has an Olympic-sized swimming pool suited for area swim meets. With an overall master plan of only 1800 homes in the community, Braun Station boasts more than ample recreational facilities for all of its families.
Each of the community recreation centers is designed in the tradition of the 19th century. Retaining the nostalgia of yesterday was part of Tommy Saunders’ master plan. In Braun Station, the motto is, “the way is was, is the way it is.”
Homes in Braun Station are currently selling from $130,000 in the Braun Station West neighborhood, with prices in Braun Heights ranging from $250,000 upward. For additional information on Braun Station, please fill out the feedback form on this page, or call me at 210 681-5252.