by Adolfo Pesquera
McAllen (Hidalgo Co.) – Simon Property Group is ready to begin construction of a 285,813-square-foot addition to La Plaza Mall in McAllen.
Simon also has projects in progress in Houston and Fort Worth (see below).
Dallas-based Omniplan, the architect for the project, reported construction cost estimates to the state of $54 million for a “new covered mall shell retail building addition” of approximately 285,813 square feet, with two new restrooms. In addition, Omniplan reported renovations to the existing mall, including 99,500 square feet of new interior finishes, and renovations to two restrooms and five mall entries at a cost of $9 million.
On a separate contract with Simon, Walker Parking Consultants reported a pre-cast parking garage project with 739 spaces and an estimated cost of $8,089,000.
In 2015, Simon purchased the Sears store, which was one of the anchor tenants at the mall, with the intention of demolishing the store for this expansion project. The Sears property represents the lion’s share of square footage for the expansion.
Demolition of the Sears property began in late April, and according to a Simon press release that phase has been completed. The press release states in part:
“At the bustling La Plaza Mall in McAllen, Texas, demolition of a former Sears store is complete which paves the way for (an) … expansion wing that will accommodate up to 50 new specialty stores, four junior anchors, and an exciting dining plaza with six first-to-market restaurants. This new expansion is scheduled to open in fall 2017. Simon will also upgrade the interior and exterior of the existing mall and add two new parking decks.”
According to The Monitor, the renovation will feature all-glass entrances, skylights and two-leveled parking decks leading straight into two of the building’s anchor stores–Macy’s and Dillards. There will be a new court with fountains and an outdoor dining deck with six restaurants.
Construction on the parking garage was scheduled to begin first. That project was underway in March and scheduled to complete by November 1. The addition rising up from the former Sears site should begin next week and be completed also by Nov. 1.
The main renovations to the interior begin next week and existing entrances, but will not be completed until about Sept. 1, 2017.
Tenant activity never stops in a mall this large. There are several unrelated projects about to get underway.
The Aldo store will undergo a 30-day remodel from about June 1 to July 1 at a cost of about $110,000. The design firm is Shremshock Architects Inc.
A tenant finish project for a BoxLunch franchise is scheduled to start July 1 and be comlete August 1 at a budgeted cost of $140,000. The design firm is ArcVision Inc., a St. Louis, Missouri-based architecture and planning firm that specializes in retail and quick serve or casual dining properties.
Lovesick, a clothing retailer, is undergoing a 30-day remodel beginning June 1 at an estimated cost of $120,000. Their design firm is CM Architecture out of Fort Worth.
Simon is a global leader in retail development. The company has development activity occurring nationwide. There are two other Texas sites–Galleria in Houston and The Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth–experiencing new construction. The Simon announcement also said:
Saks Fifth Avenue recently opened a 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art flagship store at the Houston Galleria and a multi-level mall extension will feature 35 new and unique retailers and several new restaurants in 110,000 square feet of space, all opening in 2017.
Construction is underway in Fort Worth at The Shops at Clearkfork, anchored by Neiman Marcus, a luxury theater, and 100 high-end specialty stores. The Shops at Clearkfork will open in 2017.
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adolfo@virtualbx.com
