Islander East: A Galveston Beachfront Landmark Since 1974

Islander East, the first beachfront condominium on Galveston Island, has been a defining part of East Beach since 1974. The property was developed by local entrepreneurs and civic leaders, including BOI (Born-On-The-Island) Dr. Edmond A. Henderson. Architecture was provided by the firm Swanson, Hiester, Wilson, Claycomb, known for waterfront structures across South Texas and modern public buildings throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

The Land Beneath Islander East

The land supporting Islander East formed relatively recently, following major engineering projects that expanded Galveston’s erosion-resistant East Beach peninsula.
Key developments include:

The North and South Jetties (late 1800s), built to stabilize navigation through the Galveston/Houston Ship Channel

Sedimentation that gradually created the East Beach area

The Galveston Seawall (constructed after the 1900 Storm) to protect the city

Extensions of the seawall and jetties, shaping the coastline and supporting continued growth

These engineering efforts created the East Beach environment that exists today.

Hurricane-Resistant Design

Islander East was engineered with long-term resilience in mind:

Designed to withstand 250 mph winds

15-foot subterranean concrete sheet wall surrounding the base

Concrete pilings extending 120 feet into sand and bearing clay

Residential floors begin 24 feet above sea level

No ground-level residential units, allowing storm surges to flow through

After major storms, the building’s design has repeatedly proven effective — structural impacts have been limited to ground-level areas such as the lobby and office.

Our History