AUSTIN--Endeavor Real Estate Group has landed two anchor tenants to a once near-vacant center in San Marcos.

Endeavor, which developed The Domain and Southpark Meadows, took on Springtown Shopping Center last November when it was in bleak shape, says Buck Cody, principal with Endeavor.

The dated 1990's strip center was 10.5 percent occupied at the time and four owners had control of various parts of the center, which hampered redevelopment efforts.

Now, with Endeavor as the sole owner, two large tenants and up to $27.5 million in total investment are on the way, per the terms of Chapter 380 and 381 tax rebate agreements with the City of San Marcos and Hays County, respectively, in late July.   

 “The goal is to take an incredibly well-located and visible center and bring it up to standards that will serve the community now and for years to come,” says Cody.

EVO Entertainment Group has leased 34,000 square feet for a concept it calls The Spot and Gold's Gym has leased 42,000 square feet. EVO Entertainment Group is also behind a similar concept in nearby Kyle. In San Marcos, The Spot will boast a six screen all digital dine-in cinema with luxury recliner seating in all auditoriums, eight lanes of boutique bowling, a large restaurant/bar with patio, and space to accommodate live music and other events.

“San Marcos has been home to our company and our family for almost 40 years,” says Mitchell Roberts, president of EVO Entertainment Group. “We couldn't be more thrilled to team up with a great partner like Endeavor on this extremely exciting project and give back to the community that's watched so many movies with us for so many years.”

For Roberts, the move is also sentimental, as his parents were behind Lone Star Theatres, which is now Texas Cinema, and dates back to the late 1970s.

“I can't think of a better place to raise the bar again with our new concept, other than to come back home,” Roberts said.   

Cody notes the response and reaction from retailers has been immediate.

“The acquisition and redevelopment of Springtown presents an opportunity to take a troubled asset and transform it into a retail and entertainment destination for the region,” Cody says. “We are very pleased with our direction and leasing momentum but also understand that we have a lot of work left to do.”