Clayton Korte, the renowned Texas-based architecture firm, is the creative force behind the transformation of Stable Hall in San Antonio’s historic Pearl district. With a reputation for celebrating context, craft, and authenticity, Clayton Korte approached the 128-year-old Pearl Stable with a deep respect for its architectural legacy while boldly reimagining its future as a premier music venue. Their intervention places the firm at the center of the city’s ongoing dialogue between preservation and innovation.
Restoring and Elevating a Landmark
Led by Sam Manning, AIA, and Stephen Williams, AIA, Clayton Korte’s team undertook a meticulous process to preserve the building’s original brick and stone envelope, an architectural artifact dating back to 1894, while adapting the structure to meet the demands of contemporary performance and hospitality. The firm’s expertise in working with historic fabric is evident in the restoration of hammered limestone floors and the retention of original plaster and masonry walls, which now define the lobby’s welcoming atmosphere.
Designing for Experience and Legacy
Inside Stable Hall, Clayton Korte’s design language is both sensitive and expressive. The performance space is enveloped in forest green walls, lush velvet curtains, and hand-painted murals, creating a setting that is at once intimate and theatrical. Custom-designed balcony seating, referenced as the eastern and western “hay lofts”, and upper-level lounge areas reinterpret the building’s historic function while offering new vantage points for audiences. The original radially laid wood ceiling remains a focal point, a nod to the skilled craftsmanship of the 1890s that Clayton Korte has preserved and highlighted.
Collaboration and Craft
This adaptive reuse project is a testament to Clayton Korte’s collaborative ethos. The firm worked closely with interior designer Joel Mozersky, landscape architect Word + Carr, and general contractor Joeris to ensure that every intervention was both contextually appropriate and forward-thinking. The result is a 21,563-square-foot venue that honors the building’s storied past while positioning it as a cultural anchor for San Antonio’s music scene.
Cultural Impact
Through Stable Hall, Clayton Korte has demonstrated how thoughtful design can breathe new life into historic structures. The venue’s layered history is not only preserved but celebrated, with architectural details from previous eras, such as chandeliers and column motifs, woven seamlessly into the new narrative. For San Antonio, Stable Hall stands as a model of adaptive reuse and a testament to the enduring value of architectural stewardship.
Discover more of the project in our gallery:
Photography Shannon Korta
For more projects by Clayton Korte visit claytonkorte.com.
