Baybrook Mall’s Texas-scale expansion
Friendswood, Texas — The 1.2-million-sq.-ft. Baybrook Mall in Houston is getting another 550,000 sq. ft. The mall owner, General Growth Properties, and the landowner, a CDC Houston-managed entity, have formed a joint venture to carry out he project. Work will begin in early May and completed by the 2015 holiday season.
Except for outlet centers, few new shopping centers are going up today. As the economy continues to rebound, retailers are eager to open new stores in “A” locations, which, like Baybrook, are usually near 100% occupancy. Retailer demand, then, has sparked mall expansions across the country.
In an era of shopping center expansion, Baybrook’s half million plus new sq. ft. will likely rank as one of the largest.
The multi-million dollar Baybrook expansion will add more than 30 retailers, 10 restaurants and entertainment and hospitality venues to the property.
On the north side of the mall, a new 285,000-sq.-ft. lifestyle expansion connects to the existing property between Forever 21 and Dillard’s.
A 270,000-sq.-ft. power center will add a variety of big-box anchor tenants, restaurants and family-friendly activities.
To accommodate increased traffic, the expansion will also add a single-story parking deck.
The project includes the addition of a lawn the size of a football field. Envisioned as a gathering spot for the community, the lawn will provide benches and seating areas and offer play areas for kids and venues for events.