Holiday Openings In Play for Five Anchors

AUSTIN-The first wave of retail in the 450,000-sf Shops at Arbor Walk will deliver in time for the holiday shopping season. In all, five anchors will cut ribbons on doors with the balance of the project on track for a March 2007 unveiling.

The region probably has the names down pat, but the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. says it's just now announcing the anchor line-up for the freestanding buildings at the southeast corner of Loop 1/Mopac Boulevard and Braker Lane. Home Depot Inc. is under construction on a 114,000-sf building; Marshalls, 38,000 sf; JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts, 35,000 sf; DSW Shoe Warehouse, 25,000 sf; and Golf Galaxy, 17,000 sf.

Simon spokesman Les Morris tells GlobeSt.com that there are three other anchor leases under negotiation, including a 25,000-sf deal for Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Food. A second round of names will be released in the coming months. Aso planning holiday openings is a dining lineup with Mimi's Cafe, Chipotle, Camille's and Chuck E. Cheese.

Simon is Texas' most active developer, with Austin at the forefront of the play. It's soloing on the 46-acre Arbors, but teaming with local firm, Endeavor Real Estate Group, on a 100-acre development right across Mopac Boulevard. Endeavor is trying to get the balance of the Domain for its urban-village plan. The mixed-use development's retail component is being filled with signature names like Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's and Macy's whereas the Arbors is a community lifestyle center targeting big boxes and retailers with consumer appeal at all spending levels.

Simon's other Central Texas holdings are the Arboretum at Great Hills, Barton Creek Square, Highland and Lakeline malls, Lakeline Plaza, Wolf Ranch and the Round Rock Premium Outlets, which opens next month. Morris says the corporate plan is to deliver "every platform that we can" in the Central Texas marketplace.