Wan Bridge is taking its built-to-rent playbook to the San Antonio area for the first time, planting a major flag in New Braunfels with a 200-plus-unit community.
The Houston-based developer started construction on West End Estates, a gated build-to-rent project at 901 Beebrush Lane, expected to cost about $60 million, in the ballpark of $300,000 per unit. Wan Bridge framed the launch as another step in its push to elevate Texas’ rental housing, the San Antonio Business Journal reported.
CEO Ting Qiao said the firm aims to “redefine what it means to rent in Texas,” leaning on a model that blends single-family amenities with the convenience of professional maintenance. The company handles landscaping, exterior upkeep and routine repairs across its communities — a pitch that’s helped it become one of the state’s most active BTR players.
The San Antonio submarket townhomes are part of an ambitious plan Qiao announced five years prior to construct 30,000 build-to-rent units in 50 Texas markets by 2026, including 1,000 units in Land Tejas/Starwood Land communities in Houston. Challenges related to costs, supply shortages and utilities hindered home production, however, delaying some projects.
Wan Bridge also announced plans earlier this year for rental communities in North Texas in partnership with Centurion American Development Group.
West End Estates will offer two-story townhomes ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 square feet, with two-, three- and four-bedroom floor plans, attached two-car garages, private backyards and rents between $1,900 and $2,520.
The design mirrors the developer’s standard product: suburban-scale homes built specifically for long-term renters, with finishes and layouts intended to compete with entry-level ownership.
Amenities include a pool, sports courts, a walking trail and a playground within the gated site. The first homes are expected to come online early next year.
The move into New Braunfels gives Wan Bridge a foothold in one of the state’s fastest-growing corridors between Austin and San Antonio.
The rental community sector has exploded across Texas over the past five years, fueled by migration, high mortgage rates and a glut of renters seeking more space without the financial commitment of buying. Wan Bridge has leaned into that demand, building a vertically integrated platform that spans development, construction and property management.
Developers see strong demographics and persistent affordability challenges as durable tailwinds, and the San Antonio market has begun drawing attention from developers who cut their teeth in Houston and Dallas, such as Wan Bridge.
— Eric Weilbacher
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