Project Overview

San Jacinto Mall in Baytown, Texas, first opened its doors in 1981, is now undergoing a transformation into San Jacinto Marketplace, a hub for shopping and dining in the area. Fidelis took over the mall back in 2015 with a vision to demolish and revamp it into the go to spot for family shopping, in the region. The San Jacinto Marketplace is designed to create an inviting atmosphere where locals can come together to enjoy a variety of dining options and explore a mix of stores and entertainment venues in a delightful and visually pleasing environment.

Nearly two years after demolishing the last components of the former San Jacinto Mall in Baytown, Houston-based Fidelis Realty Partners has broken ground on the project to redevelop it into San Jacinto Marketplace.

October 4, Fidelis Realty Partners held a groundbreaking ceremony for the future San Jacinto Marketplace property, with Baytown city officials in attendance, including Mayor Brandon Capetillo.

Development Specifications

The 105-acre future mixed-use development at Interstate 10 and Garth Road will include a 550,000-square-foot shopping center with open green space, 10 anchor tenants making up 75% of all retail space, restaurants, multitenant buildings and pad sites; one or two three-story apartment complexes; a hotel; and office buildings. The development will provide about 2,500 surface parking spaces.

Developer’s Statement

“We’ve encountered obstacles, in getting this project to where it’s now and we’re excited to progress with the redevelopment ” shared Alan Hassenflu, CEO of Fidelis.” Fidelis values its collaboration, with the Baytown community. Is eager to finish the revitalization of San Jacinto Marketplace introducing a range of high quality retailers to the city.”

Mayor Capetillo expressed his enthusiasm, about the groundbreaking event, for the anticipated project finally taking place.  “This marks a proud moment for Baytown as we celebrate what will become the quality shopping experience residents,” Capetillo said. “While it has taken longer than any of us wanted, we now see real progress, and I can’t wait for our residents to see that the San Jacinto Marketplace was worth the wait.”

Hassenflu said people could start seeing construction activity for the new San Jacinto Marketplace in November, possibly in early December.

“Maybe even a little earlier, actually,” Hassenflu said. “So, within the fourth quarter of this year, you will see all of the dirt starting to move. Bulldozers rolling, and all of the site work clearing beginning.”

Hassenflu explained that they must prepare the site first. “This process takes months,” he said. “This 105-acre site is huge. It will take months to scrape off the old parking lot, asphalt, lighting, all the way to the curb cuts, grade it, and elevate it to the proper massing. After that, we’ll install all the utilities.”

San Jacinto Marketplace construction timeline

The team aims to complete Phase 1, including all retail and restaurants, by December 2026. They are still figuring out details for the second phase, which includes multifamily, hotel, and office spaces. But they might build the apartments concurrently or a year later, Hassenflu said.

A third-party hotel developer will build the hotel, and Fidelis has already spoken to some hotel operators, he added.

Project Completion

Depending on market demand for the San Jacinto Marketplace; Phase 2 components, Hassenflu estimates they will develop the entire 105 acres by mid-2028.

Fidelis is yet to disclose the overall development cost.

“The era of indoor retail facilities has likely ended, at least for the foreseeable future,” Hassenflu said. “They’re too expensive to operate, and you have to pass that cost back to the tenant, which harms their profits. They also offer less convenience for people to enter.”

Fidelis’ Journey from San Jacinto Mall to San Jacinto Marketplace

The 1.6 million-square-foot San Jacinto Mall, which opened in 1981, had declined for a while when Fidelis decided to acquire and redevelop it into an open-air shopping center.

The developer put together the mall property by obtaining parcels from seven owners over a span of seven years. Initially procuring the 40 acres comprising the area without the anchors, from Triyar. An investment firm based in California. In 2015 was just the beginning. Subsequently acquiring anchor spaces, for Mervyns Service Merchants Marshalls Sears JCPenny and Macys between 2016 and 2022 were some of the steps taken sometimes involving bankruptcies and store closures according to Hassenflu.

San Jacinto Marketplace Project Factsheet

Project Overview

• Project Name: San Jacinto Marketplace
• Location: Baytown, Texas
• Site: Former San Jacinto Mall location
• Address: Interstate 10 and Garth Road
• Total Area: 105 acres
• Developer: Fidelis Realty Partners

Development Timeline

• Property Acquisition Period: 2015-2022
• Groundbreaking Ceremony: October 4, 2023
• Construction Start: Q4 2023
• Phase 1 Completion Target: December 2026
• Full Project Completion Estimate: Mid-2028

Project Specifications

• Shopping Center Size: 550,000 square feet
• Parking Capacity: 2,500 surface parking spaces
• Retail Configuration: Open-air shopping center
• Green Features: Open green spaces with patio restaurants

San Jacinto Marketplace Project Components

Phase 1

• Retail spaces
• Restaurants
• Multi-tenant buildings
• Pad sites
• 10 anchor tenants (comprising 75% of retail space)

Phase 2

• 1-2 three-story apartment complexes
• Hotel (to be developed by third-party developer)
• Office buildings