The concept for the center was originally developed and conceived by The Rouse Company under a joint venture with USAA Real Estate Company. (The Rouse Company also developed San Antonio's North Star Mall.) General Growth Properties acquired The Rouse Company in November 2004.[2]
Local architectural firm Alamo Architects designed The Shops at La Cantera, constructed as a single-level, garden-like "retail village" with varied storefronts, shared arcades, and subtle water features. The overall architectural style of the center has a Texas Hill Country vernacular vibe designed to ease environmental concerns about land usage and nature conservation. The shops reflect the preservation of natural landscape and evolution in modern shopping patterns.[3] Austin-native J. Robert Anderson, FASLA conceived the landscape architecture style, that also reflects Hill Country.
The Shops at La Cantera includes the first Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom in San Antonio and new stores from Dillard's[4] and Foley's (now Macy's). There are also more than 150 other shops and restaurants.
The second phase of the mall was opened in October 2008 and had 300,000 new square feet of retail space and contained an additional 40 stores (about 30 of which are new to the market), restaurants, a bookstore and office space.[5] Like the original mall, the second phase was designed by Alamo Architects.
On September 2, 2023, a second LEGO store in San Antonio was opened, and it's the 1000th LEGO store that will ever be opened.
Awards
Superior Achievement in Design & Imaging (SADI) 2006 Grand Award Winner[6]
