Northside San Antonio Merc Development Breaks Ground
Restaurant and retail operators near UTSA Boulevard should plan for tenant openings phasing in during early 2027.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Development of The Merc, a 114-acre shopping, dining and entertainment hub on the Northside of San Antonio near Loop 1604, has begun on UTSA Boulevard, with several tenants planning openings in early 2027. Operators eyeing the Northside retail corridor should note the phased tenant timeline.
Why it matters
The Merc occupies long-vacant land between the Aloft Hotel and the Oxly Apartments, across UTSA Boulevard from Costco, so its tenant mix will shape foot traffic and competition for restaurant and service businesses in the area. Its phased openings mean early tenants will test demand before the full project is complete.
The Merc spans 114 acres and includes a nine-hole Park Golf course that followed three years of planning before crews began moving dirt this summer. The stub reports no leasing totals, occupancy rates, or comparable Northside developments for benchmarking.
The players
The Merc
A 114-acre shopping, dining and entertainment development on San Antonio's Northside, anchored by retail and restaurant tenants near Loop 1604.
Park Golf
A nine-hole golf venue with real-grass pitches, live music and private cabanas, developed as part of The Merc project.
Hawaiian Bros
A restaurant concept breaking ground at The Merc and scheduled to complete construction before the end of the year.
The details
Construction began on modern architecture along UTSA Boulevard, with the site sitting between existing hotel and apartment properties. Hawaiian Bros broke ground in October and is scheduled to finish before year's end, while Pure Green and a Sora Sushi concept from Wild Goji Sushi are slated for future openings. Park Golf, a nine-hole course with real-grass pitches, live music, a food truck, private cabanas and a clubhouse, is set for completion in March.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Park Golf began moving dirt on UTSA Boulevard.
October 2026: Hawaiian Bros broke ground at The Merc.
December 2026: Sora Sushi expansion expected to wrap up.
March 2027: Park Golf expected to be completed.
Early 2027: Several Merc tenants expected to open.
Market Landscape
The Merc sits across UTSA Boulevard from Costco, placing it within the Northside retail corridor around Loop 1604 where the big-box anchor already drives traffic. Its mix of restaurants, a golf venue and entertainment adds experiential tenants to an area otherwise defined by hotel and apartment uses.
Restaurant and service operators considering Northside San Antonio should weigh the early-2027 opening window, since tenant traffic at The Merc will shape nearby demand. Retail and food businesses in the immediate area should watch how the development draws customers from the Costco trade area.
The takeaway
The Merc's phased rollout means early tenants will set the tone for the corridor, so operators should track opening dates and foot traffic through early 2027. Businesses evaluating space nearby should confirm lease timing and co-tenancy with their leasing agent before committing.
What happens next
Park Golf is expected to be completed in March 2027, and several Merc tenants are expected to open in early 2027.
Further reading
For other new restaurants and retail doors opening across the region, see Openings & Closings in San Antonio business coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MySA.
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