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Pearl will be adding 10 retail buildings by 2028.<\/p>\n
Mike Sutter\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
The developer behind Pearl<\/a> is adding 10 retail buildings to the popular culinary hub in an effort to attract more all-day customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oxbow Development Group<\/a> plans to construct an additional 85,000 square feet of retail space along Avenue A. Pearl currently has 14 apparel, home goods, book and gift stores and a spa. Gonzalez said the additional retail buildings could have room for one restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Expanding retail at Pearl would draw more people Monday through Friday and boost sales for existing tenants, including restaurants.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think this was something we were talking about years ago, but it\u2019s part of a strategy to create more walkability and vibrancy, as well as more midday traffic,\u201d said Omar Gonzalez, director of development. \u201cWe just want to make sure Pearl isn\u2019t just known as a place to come eat a meal, but it\u2019s also a place to linger, and there\u2019s something to do any time of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Pearl developer plans to convert old New Braunfels mill into mixed-use development<\/a><\/p>\n Pearl\u2019s evolution<\/p>\n Construction is set to begin early next year and be completed by 2028. The project will cost an estimated $18 million, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Details in state filings are preliminary and subject to change without notice.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n San Antonio Express News Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n To make way for the 10 new buildings, Oxbow Development plans to demolish a former can-recycling building at 300\u00a0E. Grayson St. and the former Pearl Brewery garage at 250 E. Grayson St. The garage is a designated historic landmark on the city\u2019s registry.\u00a0<\/p>\n The company has filed an application with the city\u2019s Historic and Design Review Commission<\/a> for approval to demolish the garage and will present its plans at an Oct. 7 meeting.<\/p>\n In addition to the new buildings, Oxbow Development is upgrading Pearl Parkway to enhance the pedestrian shopping experience. The company plans to\u00a0repave the asphalt street with new material and add shade trees and benches. The street was closed to through traffic in 2020.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n RELATED:\u00a0Pearl plans to add space for 20 new stores, eyes national retailers<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe want to make it look like a safe and comfortable place to walk on,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cWe still have to accommodate trucks going in and out for delivery and also fire trucks, but will designate which areas are for vehicles versus for pedestrians.\u201d<\/p>\n Oxbow Development is partnering with Dallas-based 3-O Real Estate Partners<\/a> on the retail project. Gonzalez said Oxbow Development wanted to bring on the Dallas developer because of its expertise in the retail industry. Alamo Architects<\/a> and Don B. McDonald Architects<\/a> will design the buildings.\u00a0<\/p>\n The real estate firm has not selected any new tenants, but the company hopes to curate a \u201cone-of-a-kind mix\u201d of local, national<\/a> and regional retailers and service-based businesses that \u201creflect Pearl\u2019s distinct identity,\u201d Gonzalez said. The firm plans to announce the tenants in early 2027 at groundbreaking.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThis was more of an evolution of Pearl, where you start to see how customers behave and what the district needs and wants and deliver on that,\u201d he added. \u201cPeople like going to a place that has multiple retail destinations where you can walk outside and get all of your shopping done. In this kind of world where malls are dying, experiential retail is doing really well, so we want to capitalize on that trend.\u201d<\/p>\n Building an urban district<\/p>\n The boost in retail at Pearl coincides with Oxbow Development\u2019s plans to build 140,000 square feet of office space<\/a> at 102 E. Josephine St.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to inspire these office workers to leave their office at lunch, grab something to eat and maybe on their way back, pick up a gift for a loved one or go shopping before heading straight home,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cThis all plays into this ecosystem of making it a real urban district.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In addition to the office space, the Josephine Street project will include 86 luxury apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Construction is expected to start later this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oxbow Development also is working on several other projects in the area.<\/p>\n Across the San Antonio River from Pearl, the firm recently completed the 262-unit Coopers Row complex and is building 75 adjacent apartments and a hotel named Perlen House, which is expected to have lower rates than Hotel Emma. It\u2019s set to be completed in late spring or early summer next year.<\/p>\n MORE DEVELOPMENT NEWS:\u00a0Pearl developer plans more office space as demand grows for upscale workplaces<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Near Perlen House, Oxbow Development is constructing a 323-unit complex and parking garage at 1315\u00a0E. Elmira St.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n