La Flaca at the Square, an 1,800-capacity music venue, will launch this summer in a retail strip southeast of the former Lafayette Square Mall.
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The developer behind the planned revamp of Lafayette Square Mall expects to break ground on the project’s first apartment building early next year and open a 14-screen movie theater as early as next month.
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Fabio De la Cruz said if his vision is realized and partners participate as he expects, the total investment in the area could reach $700 million to $1 billion.
Renovations to the former Georgetown 14 Cinema are expected to cost $15 million as part of an operating agreement the dine-in theater chain has reached with building owner Fabio de la Cruz.
The nearly 15,000-square-foot building, about two miles south of the new Window to the World project along Lafayette Road, will be called the International District Community Center.
Sojos Capital principal Fabio de la Cruz—who introduced an ambitious $200 million project for the northwest-side property in November 2021—said the new master plan will require much more investment and involve multiple development partners.
Owner Sojos Capital said more than 20 Lafayette Square Mall tenants will set up shop on the first floor of the former Sears building and will not be required to pay rent.
The shopping center at 3919 Lafayette Road, now known as Window to the World, was expected to reopen on Nov. 21, ahead of Thanksgiving weekend shopping.
Owner Fabio de la Cruz said said the investment is only the start of what’s expected to be at least a $200 million project through his firm Sojos Capital LLC.
Improvements are already evident in the mall with promises of more to come.
Sojos Capital said it has already begun multiple upgrades to the property, including replacing the roof, changing HVAC units, interior and exterior painting, and additional security enhancements.
The city on Wednesday confirmed it has received an incentive application from Sojos Capital LLC for tax-increment financing but declined to provide additional details.
Fabio de la Cruz has a plan to transform Lafayette Square Mall and several adjacent properties into a multicultural hub, including a concert center, movie theater, hotel and multifamily housing.
Plans for the shopping center property call for a new name and multiple new uses, including apartments, hotel, sports facilities, concert center, a police station and a public trail and canal.
The mall’s proposed sale is considered by industry experts to be welcome news for a lower-income neighborhood trying to make a comeback.
