The Springtown Mall To Become Student Housing

The San Marcos Planning and Zoning Commission accepted Endeavor Real Estate Group’s recommendations for the Springtown Mall’s fate Tuesday.

Developers plan on revitalizing the old shopping center near the intersection of Hopkins and Thorpe, which was abandoned in the last 2000s. Endeavor will convert the property into a 30,000-square-foot commercial and residential property.

The company brought the project proposal to the commission to have changes made prior to construction. Endeavor applied for a zoning change that would allow them to build loft apartments specifically for students above retail shops. The developers also requested for the commission to approve a height increase allowing the company to build up to five stories.

All three items have been approved the council.

The current shopping center will be demolished and replaced with a new structure. The development will add 184 apartments in student housing to the 6.57-acre lot.

Endeavor Principal, Buck Cody, said Springtown will be the company’s first student housing development, but he expects Texas State students will find the location appealing.

“We have unique amenities to offer,” Cody said. “Our vision and focus is that this is a ‘best-in-class’ type project.”

The development’s location will leave places like Gold’s Gym, HEB and Chuy’s on tenants’ doorsteps.

As the first example of Purpose-Built Student Housing, a new zoning rule added earlier this year, the Springtown Mall, or Humpty Dumpty project, will be reserved solely for students.

After being abandoned by stores like J.C. Penny, Target and Best Buy, Endeavor bought the property and aims to bring in new businesses to the area.

With the Planning and Zoning Commission phase completed, City Council will vote on the Humpty Dumpty project, Sept. 6.