from:
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...r_mall_an.html
Changes at Rivercenter mall and Joske's
Before you read any further, take a moment to check out this article so you're up to speed about what's going on at Rivercenter mall and the Joske's building.
Okay, now that you're caught up, proceed.
Another aspect about the mall that's worth mentioning is that a San Antonio company, SA Partnership, is handling all the design and architecture for the mall and Joske's renovations.
"The first phase is to bring in the restaurants and bars along the lagoon," said Frank Valadez, managing partner at SA Partnership. "We're going to be starting on the east side first so we don't block off the entire access to the River Walk. The second phase is the redevelopment of the Joske's building. The owner wants to turn that into a total destination place of retail and entertainment.
Phase three will possibly be some vertical development of a hotel. Some people are interested in adding hotel space there."
SA Partnership began working with the Rivercenter mall owner, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., when it bought the mall in 2005. Since then, the architecture firm has become the company of choice to design malls for Ashkenazy.
Valadez said the first phase will begin sometime this summer. Locally based Guido Brothers Construction Co. is the general contractor on the project.
The new lagoon plans call for five lease spaces, one of which will be a Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse. The other four leases are in negotiations now.
"There are several that are in line that want to be part of it," Valadez said. "There are several that are jockeying for those four remaining locations."
— Creighton A. Welch