San Antonio’s South Side is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation and technology. Developer Arm AC Lookout has proposed a 44-acre data center campus at Brooks, featuring advanced solar panels and battery energy storage to support sustainable, resilient operations. 

This project aligns with San Antonio’s growing prominence as a data center and AI infrastructure destination, expanding the city’s tech footprint while fueling new opportunities for nearby homeowners, buyers, and investors. For the South Side real estate market, it represents a major catalyst for job growth, demand, and property appreciation. 

Why Brooks? A Strategic Choice for Innovation 

Once home to Brooks Air Force Base, the area has transformed into a thriving 1,300-acre mixed-use innovation campus combining education, business, residential, and retail development. Its balance of affordable land, strategic access, and city investment continues to attract national developers seeking growth-ready locations. 

Brooks’ appeal to data center developers comes down to four key advantages: 

• Affordable commercial land suitable for large-scale infrastructure. 

• Direct access to major highways, including I-37 and Loop 410. 

• Reliable energy support from CPS Energy, with expanding grid capacity. 

• Centralized Texas location offering connectivity across the state’s key markets. 

By integrating a solar array and battery storage, the new campus aims to set a benchmark for energy efficiency and sustainability—two major priorities for both tech investors and modern cities. 

Brooks as a Growth Engine for San Antonio 

Brooks has become one of San Antonio’s most successful redevelopment stories. Once a decommissioned base, it now features new residential communities, restaurants, schools, corporate offices, and medical facilities—creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that attracts professionals and families alike. 

The proposed data center builds on this momentum, anchoring high-paying technology and operations jobs in a corridor previously known for military and manufacturing roles. This diversification strengthens San Antonio’s economy and reinforces the South Side’s evolution from an industrial past to a tech-forward future. 

Real Estate Implications: Tech Growth Meets Housing Demand 

According to Tami Price, Realtor in San Antonio, “Anytime you bring high-paying tech jobs into an area, real estate follows. Brooks is positioned to become a magnet for professionals who want to live close to where they work.” 

That relationship between job creation and housing demand is clear: 

• As new employers move in, home sales and rental demand rise. 

• Developers follow with new construction, particularly in mixed-use and multifamily segments. 

• Longtime homeowners benefit from property appreciation and stronger neighborhood amenities. 

With the proposed data center project, Brooks could soon join other San Antonio tech corridors—like Westover Hills and the Loop 1604 corridor—as a recognized hub for innovation and real estate opportunity. 

For Homeowners 

• Expect continued property value appreciation as Brooks grows into a regional tech anchor. 

• Expanding retail, dining, and recreation options will enhance quality of life. 

• Homes in established South Side neighborhoods may outperform broader city averages in value growth due to new employment proximity. 

For Buyers 

• Buying near Brooks now offers long-term equity potential, as land and home prices remain lower than the citywide median. 

• The South Side provides an attainable option for first-time buyers priced out of the North Side. 

• New job creation will drive rental and resale demand, making early entry into this market a smart investment strategy. 

For Sellers 

• Highlight proximity to Brooks Innovation Campus and new tech-related job growth in your listings. 

• Homes marketed with lifestyle and accessibility benefits—near major employers, restaurants, and schools—will attract more buyers. 

• As South Side visibility increases, sellers can expect shorter Days on Market (DOM) and stronger offers. 

Economic Impact: Tech, Energy, and Sustainability 

If approved, the Brooks data center will mark one of the city’s most forward-looking infrastructure projects, blending digital technology and renewable energy. The proposed plan includes: 

• Data storage facilities supporting cloud computing and AI applications. 

• Solar arrays to generate renewable on-site power. 

• Battery backup systems for reliability and grid efficiency. 

Though exact job numbers have not been released, similar facilities typically employ dozens of skilled technicians and engineers and create hundreds of construction and maintenance roles—boosting local income and supporting area businesses. 

Why This Project Signals Long-Term Real Estate Value 

The South Side’s combination of affordable land, strategic infrastructure, and municipal support creates ideal conditions for both tech and residential expansion. Each major project compounds the area’s visibility, drawing in new investment and encouraging balanced growth. 

For real estate professionals, Brooks represents a model of how economic diversification and lifestyle convenience can transform underdeveloped areas into thriving submarkets. As employment centers expand, nearby property values tend to climb steadily over time. 

Practical Takeaways 

• Buyers: Focus on South Side neighborhoods near Brooks for long-term equity and community growth. 

• Sellers: Market proximity to the Brooks Innovation Campus and highlight access to new jobs and amenities. 

• Investors: Anticipate rental demand from incoming tech professionals—consider multi-family or build-to-rent opportunities within a short commute radius. 

Bottom Line

The proposed 44-acre data center and solar campus at Brooks is more than a development—it’s a symbol of San Antonio’s technological evolution. By combining renewable energy with high-capacity digital infrastructure, it positions the South Side as a rising player in Texas’ growing tech economy. 

For residents, buyers, and investors, it’s a sign of things to come: more jobs, stronger communities, and a surge in long-term housing demand. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Brooks in San Antonio? 
A: Brooks is a former Air Force Base redeveloped into a 1,300-acre mixed-use innovation campus for living, working, and business growth. 

Q: What will the data center include? 
A: Plans include data storage facilities, solar panels, and battery storage systems for energy efficiency and reliability. 

Q: How many jobs could this create? 
A: While official numbers haven’t been announced, similar projects create dozens of permanent tech positions and hundreds of construction and support roles. 

Q: Why is this important for real estate? 
A: Tech infrastructure attracts high-paying jobs, which in turn increase housing demand and property values nearby. 

Q: When will this project begin? 
A: The development is currently in the proposal phase, pending land acquisition and permitting approvals. 

For personalized guidance on where to buy, sell, or invest near Brooks, contact Tami Price, Realtor for local expertise and strategy tailored to San Antonio’s evolving market.