Walkable $350M lifestyle district coming to UT San Antonio area
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A rendering of a plaza at The Merc. Image: Courtesy of The Merc
Construction on The Merc, a $350 million lifestyle district along Loop 1604 and UTSA Boulevard, began last week.
Why it matters: The 112-acre project will transform long-vacant land into a destination that connects to the Leon Creek Greenway, giving Northwest Side residents a place to live, eat and play amid suburban sprawl.
By the numbers: Ultimately, The Merc, developed by Schumacher Interests, will feature more than 200,000 square feet of retail and dining space, according to a press release.
- Phase 1 includes 35,000 square feet across the first three buildings.
- The site includes plans for more than 1,600 apartments.
The big picture: The design centers on a pedestrian-friendly main street and shaded patios, aiming to create a slower, more walkable environment for the fast-growing area, Schumacher Interests development manager Derrick Burnett tells Axios.
- The site's trailhead will tie directly into the Leon Creek Greenway, inviting visitors to arrive by foot or bike.
Zoom in: The district's first announced tenant is Park Golf — a nine-hole, par-3 course created by Jason Black, the entrepreneur behind Austin's Butler Pitch & Putt.
- It will have a sprawling punchbowl, beer garden, food trucks and green space for programming. It's designed to be accessible for families and seasoned golfers alike.
Between the lines: The post-pandemic shift away from office-first developments pushed Schumacher Interests to rethink the land's potential, leaning into a mix of wellness, nature and social spaces, Burnett tells Axios.
What they're saying: "We're not building another strip mall with some apartments nearby," Burnett says. "It's an evolution in thinking of how we can bring some of those things that make downtown great out to the suburbs."
The bottom line: The first phase is expected to open next summer, with more tenants to be announced in the coming weeks, Burnett says.