Michael Mosteller, an old pal of the Advocate, sends news that Casa Linda’s new owner has posted a couple of drawings and some architectural sketches of its plans to renovate the shopping center. The site also has a survey that neighborhood residents can fill out to offer their preferences for new tenants as well as updated renovation plans.
What’s really impressive, though, is that AmREIT, the new owner, has hired The Weitzman Group, one of the savviest commercial real estate companies around here, to handle leasing. This is a big deal, and not just because Weitzman leases property like Addison Town Center. My real estate guy tells me Herb Weitzman is one of the sharpest people in that business in this town. If Weitzman thinks his company can make money bringing quality tenants to Casa Linda, then maybe it can be done.
AmREIT has definitely impressed so far (especially compared to the progress being made by developers for the proposed Lake Highlands Town Center, who are still trying to close on land for the deal). Nevertheless there are still a number of jokers in the deck, including the theater, which is owned by a different company, and whether the resurgence in home prices around here holds up long enough to impress would-be tenants with our spectacular wealth. But it is a fine start.
