The future of the 100-acre Temple Mall redevelopment plan in Texas is facing uncertainty as RockStep Capital bows out. The Texas-based firm was keen on redeveloping the struggling property but have instead opted out of the project. Andy Weiner, president of RockStep Capital, shared with 6 News that the deal is dead. “We are no longer pursuing,” Weiner said. “Could not make development work.
” The company had previously explored plans to purchase and redevelop the shopping center in July 2025. The announcement comes as the mall faces renewed pressure from city officials on the state of the Temple mall. On May 22, the City of Temple issued a 30-day compliance notice. The notice was issued to property owner, Kohan Retail Investment Group, after inspectors with the Temple Fire Marshal’s Office documented a string of safety issues.
These included inoperable fire pumps, multiple disabled sprinkler systems and also nonfunctioning fire alarm panels. It also entailed egress failures and electrical hazards. Furthermore, the facility is to correct all violations by June 22 or face additional enforcement action, according to the city. Another major development project that is also being kept an eye on is The District, a $500 million mixed-used development in Round Rock, Texas. Construction of the project commenced in 2025.
Developed by Mark IV Capital, The District will encompass 65.5 acres of retail, multifamily residential, office, and green space. Originally proposed to the City Council in 2017, the project has grown considerably in scope due to shifting market conditions and community input. Initially planned as a 1-million-square-foot complex, it has expanded to a minimum of 3 million square feet and is projected to attract over $500 million in private capital. It will be finished by 2039.
Outlook on the Temple Mall Redevelopment Plan in Texas
The Temple Mall redevelopment plan in Texas entailed various scopes of implementation to ensure its success. One of them included “de-malling” the property where the primary strategy entailed demolishing the interior corridors of the mall. Once done, the property would be reconfigured so that all storefronts face outward, creating an open-air scene and entertainment destination. The other scope entailed a mixed-use entertainment area with proposals for the site focused on adding more community event spaces.
There were also plans to repurpose large vacant anchor spaces into live concert venues, television studios and recreation hubs. RockStep Capital aimed to resolve longstanding maintenance issues that plagued the mall following the closures of anchors like Sears, JCPenney, and Premiere Cinemas. As it stands now, the mall’s future viability heavily depends on current ownership addressing noted deficiencies by the city or a potential acquisition.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Temple Mall Redevelopment Project
- Location: Temple, Texas, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: Undisclosed
- Project Type: Mixed-use mall redevelopment
Timeline
- Redevelopment discussions began: July 2025
- RockStep Capital exits project: 2026
- City compliance notice issued: May 22, 2026
- Violation correction deadline: June 22, 2026
Site & Scale
- Property size: 100 acres
- Existing asset: Temple Mall shopping center
- Proposed format: Open-air mixed-use destination
- Former anchor tenants: Sears, JCPenney, Premiere Cinemas
Project Teams
- Former developer: RockStep Capital
- Property owner: Kohan Retail Investment Group
- Local authority: City of Temple
- Oversight agency: Temple Fire Marshal’s Office
Infrastructure Scope
- Proposed “de-malling” of interior corridors
- Conversion to outward-facing storefronts
- Planned entertainment and community spaces
- Repurposing vacant anchors into venues and recreation hubs
Challenges
- RockStep Capital withdrawal from project
- Major fire and safety violations identified
- Aging infrastructure and maintenance concerns
- Uncertain future ownership and redevelopment path
Current Status
- Redevelopment deal terminated
- City enforcement action underway
- Safety compliance deadline active
- Future of the mall remains uncertain
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