River Oaks Shopping Center update: $15 million renovation

Weingarten Realty Investors released news today (via BusinessWire - login required) that $15 million will be used to redevelop the northeast corner of the River Oaks Shopping Center. Two new multi-story buildings are going to replace what is currently on the site, but they assure that the curved facade will remain, and the new pieces will be architecturally sympathetic (kind of reminds us of the Royalton's Gulf Publishing frieze...).

The release also mentions that "[Patty] Bender underscored the fact that the announced plan does not in any way impact the River Oaks Theater building." Of course it doesn't - they have only released plans for the northeast corner of the area - as far as that's concerned, the theater is still in danger. Weingarten admitted that the theater wasn't upscale enough, so it might be in conflict with the scheduled additions: "Two new multi-level buildings featuring upscale shops, restaurants and some office space will replace the existing structure."

Expect to be able to garage park and check out the new buildings around 2009.