Castroville is on the verge of a retail makeover that could cut down those routine drives into San Antonio. Inside the Alsatian Oaks master planned community, a new retail corridor is slated to deliver the national chains locals now travel east to reach. Plans call for roughly 150,000 square feet of storefronts and restaurants woven into a larger development where homebuilding is already underway. Developers say the retail phase is expected to start moving forward this year, a shift supporters frame as a boon for jobs and shopping options while some neighbors worry the roads and utilities might not be ready for the influx.
Where it will sit and how big
The retail hub is planned along U.S. Highway 90 east of Castroville, tucked next to a recently opened Walmart and inside the broader Alsatian Oaks acreage. A leasing page lists the property as Alsatian Oaks at US Hwy 90 E, shows nearly 198,000 square feet currently available for lease in a multi building center and gives a 2027 build year, according to LoopNet.
Tenants and timing
Merit’s marketing director told MySA that “Our plan is to break ground in the fall of this year on 150,000+ SF of new retail, restaurant, and service-oriented businesses.” Site signage and marketing flyers name a slate of national retailers, including Burlington, Ulta Beauty, Bath & Body Works, T.J. Maxx, Rack Room Shoes, James Avery and Ross. Portillo’s appears on the marketing materials, and Chick-fil-A’s participation remains unconfirmed, the report adds.
Nearby employers and growth pressure
Supporters point to nearby job centers as a key reason the project is gaining traction. Microsoft has been expanding a cluster of data centers around Castroville, and recent filings show another large colocation facility planned near FM 471. Leasing materials also highlight a broad jobs base and strong visibility for the project, according to Crexi…