Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Construction activity at the McAllen City Center has reached a new phase, with underground infrastructure largely finished and vertical development now underway. The project is located at South 10th Street and the Expressway in McAllen, on approximately 13 acres where the former McAllen Civic Center once stood.
“All underground infrastructure is now, by and large, complete, and our construction team is working to complete all development work for the new McAllen City Center,” said Michael Fallek, president of Castle Hospitality, Ltd. “The first project to come out of the ground is a two-story, approximately 32,000 sf multi-tenant building located at the northeast corner of the development.”
According to Fallek, leasing discussions are already well advanced. “We are working to finalize leases now for the majority of the space in the new building, and we hope to be in a position to make announcements in the next month or two,” he said. “We also continue to have meaningful conversations with other potential tenants for other spaces and buildings in the commercial center.”
The project, known as McAllen City Center, is envisioned as a multi-tenant commercial destination. Additional information about the first building is being shared through marketing materials. “I have attached a marketing brochure for the new multi-tenant building, and you can also go to our landing page at McAllenCityCenter.com,” Fallek told Texas Border Business.
Design planning for the development is outlined in a 19-page presentation prepared by 9YARDS Design Group. The document focuses on site planning, architectural concepts, and potential design elements for the project. Much of the presentation relies on visual renderings and diagrams, reflecting a design process that is still in progress.
The overall site plan includes multiple lots with buildings, parking areas, drive aisles, and landscaping. Two layout options are shown, each illustrating how structures, access points, and parking could be arranged across the site. Both options include access from 10th Street, angled parking, and landscaped medians with trees.
One of the most detailed components of the presentation is Lot 3, which corresponds to the first building now under construction. The first-level plan shows five lease spaces ranging from about 1,044 to 4,169 square feet, totaling 8,827 square feet on the ground level. Features include a semi-enclosed courtyard, new walkways, concrete pads, and landscaping that includes dozens of trees. The plan also shows 146 parking spaces serving the building.
The second-level plan for Lot 3 shows reduced square footage and includes three suites, one of which is designed as a two-story space. Roof areas, parapets, and access features are also shown, suggesting possible dining or rooftop-oriented uses.
The design philosophy is summarized directly in the presentation. “This multi-tenant building is designed to be elegant yet understated, with intentions of allowing the brands that occupy the spaces to garner the attention,” the document states. “The structure is purposefully uncomplicated so that a variety of architectural accent treatments can provide distinction and interest.”
Additional sections illustrate building heights, elevations, and façade concepts. These show modern, low-rise architecture with stepped rooflines, balconies, shaded areas, and integrated landscaping. Inspirational images included in the presentation highlight elements such as roof decks, warm wood accents, glass storefronts, decorative metal features, and greenery.
The presentation emphasizes flexibility, noting that images and examples are conceptual and may be incorporated in different ways as the design evolves. As leasing discussions continue and construction progresses, further details about tenants and future buildings at McAllen City Center are expected to be announced in the coming months.
