March 2008

CASA LINDA PLAZA TO UNDERGO MAJOR RENOVATION

DALLAS—AmREIT, a Texas-based real estate investment trust, is preparing to begin the major renovation of Casa Linda Plaza on March 1. AmREIT, which purchased the historic center in 2007, plans to update the center’s architecture, reconfigure parking and traffic flow, enhance the center’s landscaping and, most importantly, maintain and revitalize the elements that have made this center great for 60 years.  

“The redevelopment of Casa Linda Plaza is in line with one of our strategic goals of adding value to Tomorrow’s Irreplaceable Corners™ in dynamic neighborhoods like Old East Dallas and Lakewood,” said H. Kerr Taylor, Chairman, CEO and founder of AmREIT.

As part of the center’s revitalization, AmREIT brought on the Commercial Retail Division of The Weitzman Group as exclusive leasing agent. Weitzman is working to update and enhance the tenant mix with an influx of new retail and restaurant concepts, while maintaining the local flair of many of the center’s existing retailers and restaurants. Negotiations are under way with several well-known concepts, both retail and restaurant.

Weitzman’s Earl Harris, Mark Wohlstadter and Bryan Grossman are responsible for leasing.

In preparing for the renovation, AmREIT solicited input from Old East Dallas and Lakewood residents prior to finalizing the renovation plans. Residents in the center’s trade area consider it to be their “town center,” as Casa Linda Plaza ranks as one of Dallas’ best-known and most historic retail centers. Several key design elements of the renovation are a direct result of survey responses. 

Casa Linda Plaza opened in 1945 and is famed for its pink Spanish-Revival architecture.  Today, the center has a retailer and restaurant line-up  that includes Albertsons, Highlands Cafeteria, Petco, Starbucks, Franki’s Little Europe, Blockbuster, ,Bonnie Ruth’s Bistro, The Maddox Shop, Chili’s, Blockbuster, Schlotsky’s, El Fenix (which opened in 1956), Wachovia and 24 Hour Fitness. All told, the center incorporates a total of 324,600 square feet.

One of the landmarks at Casa Linda is the Casa Linda Theater. The tower and marquee of the historic theater recently underwent its own renovation, restoring the marquee lighting and the neon elements on the tower. The theater’s owner, SC Companies, is currently in negotiations for a retail or entertainment use for the historic theater. 

Mr. Craig Perry, with AmREIT, will manage the renovation of Casa Linda Plaza. The architect for the renovation is Heights Venture Architects, LLP

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