Developers to Bring Rodeo Drive-Style Shops to San Antonio, Eyeing Gucci and Louis Vuitton for Vacant Land near The Pearl and Government Hill, Residents Just Crave a Grocery Store
GrayStreet Partners is a development company with ambitions to bring Rodeo Drive-style shops to the streets of San Antonio. They are embarking on a luxury transformation of the 20 acres of land located east of the Broadway and Casa Blanca intersection, extending into Government Hill. However, it’s worth noting that the local community has been vocal about its need for something as basic as a grocery store in the area.
The Broadway and Casa Blanca location is poised for a 218,000 sqft retail space, purposefully catering to high-end “heritage brand” (luxury) offerings such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. This development looks squarely focused on luxury which may just be for show.
In addition to the retail space, the project encompasses multi-story apartments and a 15-story hotel. The hotel’s placement, distinct from the primary luxury development, hinges on zoning approval for the former site of The Pig Stand (we always lose such great staples of our community). This extensive endeavor is dubbed “The Broadway East San Antonio Initiative” and is scheduled to commence construction late next year, with a targeted completion date in early 2026.
The decision to open secondary locations (La Cantera has both of these stores) for Louis Vuitton and Gucci at Broadway East has left the local community perplexed. They express a strong desire for more practical amenities, particularly a grocery store, given the heavily retail-focused nature of the area. The accommodations planned for the development do not seem to align with the community’s needs.
It’s improbable that residents moving into the apartments will frequent high-end stores like Gucci, as such visits may primarily be for photo opportunities rather than actual purchases, considering the lifestyle of the area.
As for tourists, San Antonio typically attracts history enthusiasts and families seeking attractions like the Riverwalk, Sea World, Fiesta Texas, and culturally unique experiences. Luxury shopping isn’t a draw for this demographic. Even popular tourist and residents favorite areas like the River Center Mall have faced challenges in retaining visitors’ interest, with the mall’s vibrancy taking a dive over time.
The local context indeed raises valid concerns regarding the potential profitability and necessity of the luxury shops proposed for Broadway East when compared to the community’s need for a grocery store. It appears that the residents’ spending habits and priorities might not align with high-end retail brands, posing potential economic challenges for this project. It does not appear that the developer wants to reflect the community’s priorities. See the community’s facebook input here and weigh in on the conversation by visiting saobserver.com.
