The Ralston Event Center at San Antonio Zoo

The Ralston Event Center is a premier, one-of-a-kind venue at the San Antonio Zoo that seamlessly blends sophisticated event space with immersive wildlife habitats. Designed by PGAV Destinations and constructed by Guido Construction, The Ralston offers a unique setting for gatherings of up to 500 guests. Perched atop the zoo’s historic quarry walls, the facility provides unparalleled views of the new Congo Falls gorilla exhibit, the African savanna habitat, and the downtown San Antonio skyline, creating an unforgettable experience for any event.

Key Features:

Integrated Wildlife Experience: The venue’s design masterfully connects guests with nature. Its centerpiece is the direct view into the Mays Family Silverback Peak, a 70-foot climbing tower that allows gorillas to come eye-to-eye with event attendees, separated only by glass.

Flexible and Elegant Space: The main ballroom features telescoping NanaWall folding doors that open onto a spacious balcony, merging indoor and outdoor environments. The interior design uses a neutral color palette with natural materials and wood accents to provide a flexible backdrop for galas, weddings, and corporate functions.

High-Performance Glazing: To achieve the stunning, up-close animal views while ensuring guest comfort, the project utilized a high-performance glazing system. This included Tubelite’s 400CW curtain wall and T14000 storefront systems, paired with Guardian SNX 51/23 glass fabricated by Precision Glass. The result is a crystal-clear view with excellent energy efficiency.

Project Partners:
Architect: PGAV Destinations
General Contractor: Guido Construction
Glazing Contractor: Binswanger Glass
Curtain Wall: Tubelite 400CW
Storefront: Tubelite T14000 I/O Series Storefront
Storefront Doors: Tubelite Standard Wide Stile
Door Hardware: DH PACE
Glass Fabricator: Precision Glass Industries
Glass Manufacturer: Guardian Glass SunGuard™ SNX 51/23
Folding Doors: NANA Walls
Structural Engineering: Aquinas Engineering
Break Metal Material: Linetec
Brake Metal: Texas Pipe Fabricators