Barton Creek Square

Barton Creek Square is an enclosed regional shopping mall in southwest Austin, Texas, near the junction of Texas State Highway Loop 1 and Loop 360. The property takes its name from Barton Creek, a waterway and geographic feature associated with the Austin area. It serves as a major retail and dining destination for southwest Austin and the wider metropolitan region, combining department-store anchors, specialty retail, restaurants, family-oriented amenities, and experiential spaces. The mall was conceived in the late 1970s by Melvin Simon & Associates, which announced plans in June 1977 for a large shopping center on approximately 104 acres along Loop 360. Early plans envisioned more than one million square feet of retail space and parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles, making the proposed center one of the largest retail developments in Austin. Construction planning was complicated by delays surrounding the extension of Loop 1, as well as negotiations with prospective tenants. Site clearing and grading began in 1977, designs were finalized in 1978, and architect Gordon Sibeck was selected as the designer. Environmental concerns also affected the development process. Because the site was near Barton Creek, local officials monitored construction and water-quality conditions during 1980. The City of Austin Environmental Board found the project out of compliance with erosion-control standards, after which measures were approved to reduce construction-related impacts. These issues added regulatory and environmental context to the mall's development but did not prevent its completion. Barton Creek Square began opening in phases in August 1981. Sears and JCPenney opened on August 1, while construction continued elsewhere in the complex. The mall held its formal opening on August 19 with 77 operating stores out of an anticipated 175 to 185 businesses. Opening-day attendance was reported at approximately 85,000 to 90,000 visitors. The original anchor lineup included Sears, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Foley's, Joske's, and Austin-based Scarbrough's. In November 1981, the property became the first mall in Texas reported to have Braille and bold-print signage throughout the center. The tenant mix changed as department-store retail evolved. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001, and its former space was redeveloped for Nordstrom, which opened on August 15, 2003. A 2013 renovation refreshed the interior and redesigned the food court. The Cheesecake Factory opened at the property in August 2015, adding a prominent full-service dining component. In 2015, Sears Holdings transferred the Sears property into Seritage Growth Properties as part of a nationwide real-estate transaction, while Sears continued operating the store until its announced closure in 2018. Simon Property Group undertook another renovation beginning in 2019. The work introduced updated paint, flooring, LED lighting, glass handrails, exterior canopies, fire pits, turf areas, and a coworking space near Nordstrom with workstations, televisions, and charging facilities. A Disney Junior-themed children's zone opened in 2018 near Brighton Collectibles, reflecting the property's effort to provide family entertainment in addition to conventional shopping. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted operations. On March 17, 2020, the mall reduced its hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The following day, Simon Property Group announced the closure of its domestic malls, including Barton Creek Square, until March 29. The property reopened on May 1, 2020, subject to the operating conditions and public-health environment of the period. The former Sears anchor has subsequently been targeted for redevelopment. Dick's Sporting Goods announced plans for a large-format Dick's House of Sport store in the former Sears building. The project is expected to occupy the entire anchor structure and was reported as being under development, with an anticipated opening in late 2027. As a result, Barton Creek Square's…

Barton Creek Square was developed in southwest Austin by Melvin Simon & Associates, later associated with Simon Property Group. The development was announced in June 1977 on a roughly 104-acre site along Loop 360. Plans called for a regional enclosed mall exceeding one million square feet, with parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles. The proposed extension of Loop 1 to Loop 360 delayed construction, site preparation, and tenant negotiations. Designs were completed in 1978, with Gordon Sibeck, known for designing Windsor Park Mall in San Antonio, selected as architect. The project also encountered environmental scrutiny because of its proximity to Barton Creek. During 1980, municipal officials monitored the site amid concerns about water quality and possible construction-related damage. Austin's Environmental Board determined that the development violated erosion-control standards, leading to approved mitigation measures. Construction nevertheless proceeded, and the mall opened in phases in August 1981. Sears and JCPenney were the first stores to open on August 1; the formal opening followed on August 19 with 77 stores operating and further tenants expected. The original anchors included Sears, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Foley's, Joske's, and Scarbrough's. Later in 1981, Barton Creek Square introduced Braille and bold-print signage throughout the center, an accessibility feature described as a first among Texas malls. The property changed substantially as the American department-store sector consolidated. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001, and its space was redeveloped for Nordstrom, which opened in 2003. A 2013 renovation redesigned the food court, while The Cheesecake Factory opened in 2015. Sears Holdings transferred the Sears real-estate interest into Seritage Growth Properties in 2015, and Sears later announced the store's closure as part of a national reduction plan in 2018. The vacant anchor became the subject of later redevelopment planning. In 2018, Barton Creek Square added a Disney Junior-themed children's zone. Beginning in 2019, Simon Property Group carried out a broader renovation that refreshed interior finishes and lighting and added new exterior features, including canopies, fire pits, and turf areas. The project also introduced a coworking area near Nordstrom equipped with workstations, televisions, and charging stations. The mall's operations were interrupted in March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. It first reduced its hours and then closed as part of Simon Property Group's temporary U.S. mall shutdown. Reopening took place on May 1, 2020. The property continues to operate as a regional shopping and dining center anchored by Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, and Nordstrom. A Dick's House of Sport location has been announced for the former Sears building, with construction reported as ongoing and a projected late-2027 opening.

1. 2026Dick's House of Sport redevelopment announced

   Dick's Sporting Goods announced plans for a large-format store in the former Sears anchor, with an expected late-2027 opening.

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2. 2020Temporary pandemic closure

   The mall reduced hours and closed temporarily in March before reopening on May 1.

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3. 2019Property-wide renovation begins

   Simon Property Group began updating the mall's interiors, exterior gathering spaces, lighting, and coworking amenities.

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4. 2018Children's zone opens and Sears closure is announced

   A Disney Junior-themed children's area opened, while Sears announced the closure of its Barton Creek Square store as part of a national closure program.

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5. 2015Sears property transferred to Seritage

   Sears Holdings spun off the Sears property at Barton Creek Square into Seritage Growth Properties.

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6. 2013Food court redesigned

   The mall completed renovation work that included a redesigned food court.

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7. 2003Nordstrom opens

   Nordstrom opened in the former Montgomery Ward space after a major redevelopment.

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8. 1981Barton Creek Square opens

   The mall opened in phases in August and became one of the largest shopping centers in Texas.

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9. 1980Environmental oversight during construction

   The City of Austin monitored the site and approved erosion-control measures after environmental concerns near Barton Creek.

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10. 1978Mall design finalized

    Plans were finalized and Gordon Sibeck was selected to design the mall.

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11. 1977Development announced

    Melvin Simon & Associates announced plans for a major enclosed shopping mall on approximately 104 acres along Loop 360 in southwest Austin.

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A large enclosed regional shopping and dining destination serving southwest Austin, combining department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, family amenities, and experiential spaces within a Simon Property Group-managed property.

Product categories. Department-store merchandise · Apparel and accessories · Specialty retail goods · Beauty and personal-care products · Restaurants and prepared food · Family entertainment and experiential retail services

• 2026Dick's House of Sport planned for former Sears buildingProduct launch

  The Sears anchor closed after being included in a nationwide store-closure program, leaving its building available for a new use.

  What changed. Dick's Sporting Goods announced development of a large-format Dick's House of Sport store occupying the former anchor building.

  Aftermath. The project is expected to bring an experiential sporting-goods concept to the mall, with opening anticipated in late 2027.

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• 2020Temporary operating restrictions during COVID-19Other

  The COVID-19 pandemic led Simon Property Group to alter operations across its U.S. mall portfolio.

  What changed. Barton Creek Square first limited hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and then closed temporarily before reopening on May 1.

  Aftermath. The property resumed operations after the temporary shutdown, although the event interrupted normal retail activity.

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• 2019Comprehensive property renovationStrategy

  Simon Property Group pursued improvements to refresh the aging enclosed mall and add nontraditional visitor amenities.

  What changed. The renovation introduced new finishes, LED lighting, glass handrails, exterior canopies, fire pits, turf areas, and a coworking space.

  Aftermath. The mall expanded its positioning beyond conventional retail by adding updated social and work-oriented spaces.

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• 2003Redevelopment of former Montgomery Ward anchorStrategy

  Montgomery Ward had closed in 2001, leaving a major anchor space available at the mall.

  What changed. The space was redeveloped for Nordstrom, which opened on August 15, 2003.

  Aftermath. Nordstrom became one of the property's principal department-store anchors.

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• 2026Dick's House of Sport planned for former Sears anchor

  Dick's Sporting Goods announced plans to develop a large-format Dick's House of Sport in the former Sears building, with an expected opening in late 2027.

  Product launch
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• 2020Barton Creek Square limits hours during the COVID-19 response

  The mall reduced its hours on March 17 and closed temporarily after Simon Property Group announced the closure of its U.S. domestic malls. Barton Creek Square reopened on May 1.

  Regulation
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• 2019Simon Property Group begins major mall renovation

  Simon Property Group initiated improvements including new finishes, LED lighting, glass handrails, exterior gathering areas, and a coworking space.

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• 2018Disney Junior children's zone opens

  A Disney Junior-themed children's zone opened near Brighton Collectibles, adding a family-oriented attraction to the mall.

  Product launch
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• 2018Sears announces closure at Barton Creek Square

  Sears was included in a nationwide closure plan announced in October 2018, eventually leaving its anchor building available for redevelopment.

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• 2013Barton Creek Square completes interior and food-court improvements

  A renovation updated portions of the mall and included a redesigned food court.

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• 2003Nordstrom replaces former Montgomery Ward space

  Nordstrom opened on August 15, 2003, following the redevelopment of the former Montgomery Ward anchor location.

  Product launch
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• 1981Barton Creek Square opens in phases

  The mall began phased openings with Sears and JCPenney on August 1 and formally opened on August 19 with dozens of stores and substantial opening-day attendance.

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• 1981Barton Creek Square adds statewide accessibility signage

  The center became the first mall in Texas reported to feature Braille and bold-print signage throughout the property.

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1. Barton Creek Square
2. Barton Creek Square official mall website