LEWIS Building makes major investment in Edinburg’s historic downtown

Big changes are coming to Edinburg’s historic downtown.

Friday, the city of Edinburg’s economic arm announced that they had approved LEWIS Building LLC to lead a $650,000 renovation.

According to a city news release, the project will restore and repurpose a historic 1925 building located at 221-225 E. University Drive and 115-119 N. 13th Ave.

The project will be led by LEWIS Building LLC, which is owned by Byron Lewis, CEO of Edwards Abstract and Title Co., which has offices in Brownsville, McAllen, Edinburg, South Padre Island, Harlingen, Weslaco and Mission.

According to Roxanne Lerma, the city’s communications director, the Edinburg Economic Development Corp. is providing LEWIS Building LLC a grant to upgrade the building’s sanitary sewer line. The grant amount remained unclear as of Friday afternoon.

In a statement from the city, they explained that this is a part of an ongoing mission to revitalize its downtown, and “foster growth and vibrancy in the city’s core.”

The renovation will occur in a series of phases. First, LEWIS Building will deliver six move-in-ready “white-box” commercial rental spaces for local entrepreneurs, to encourage them to launch or expand their businesses in the heart of downtown.

These units are described as “flexible, customizable spaces” with finished walls, lighting and essential infrastructure.

In the following phases, a boutique bourbon bar and a coffee shop will be introduced, as well as other businesses that are “designed to attract visitors and enhance Edinburg’s growing reputation as a hub for dining, retail, and culture,” according to the city’s statement.

The total investment is estimated to be over $650,000.

Project leaders are expecting it to create approximately 15 full-time jobs over the next 36 months.

“I’m thrilled to see this project come to life,” said Lewis. “We’re deeply invested in the vision of a vibrant and thriving downtown, and the start of these renovations marks an exciting milestone. I look forward to creating a space that connects the community, future tenants, and civic leaders to reestablish this property as a dynamic anchor in Edinburg’s downtown.”

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