Grandscape Next Phase Nearing Completion

One of the area’s most ambitious retail developments is coming to life. Shops, restaurants and entertainment destinations in the first phase of the Grandscape lifestyle development in The Colony began welcoming customers this month. By spring’s end the majority of the site’s tenants should be open for business.

“We are excited,” Grandscape spokesperson Katie Wedekind said. “The next couple of months are going to be real fun for us over here.”

Property rendering // courtesy of Grandscape

According to Katie, developers worked hard to differentiate the lifestyle area from other nearby retail centers. That began with the layout. It is a pedestrian-friendly center with an interior inaccessible to cars. There are pocket parks, unique water features and plenty of overhangs and patios. There is also an abundance of mature trees designed to shade visitors from the Texas sun.

An open-air green space with a large screen will host game-watching parties, live music and even morning cartoons. Visitors can expect to see yoga classes, workout groups and even an occasional market on the lawn.

Technology played a huge role in Grandscape’s overall design. Cell phone charging stations are located at various places throughout. One of the first things people may notice is the 43-foot digital installation near the eastern entrance. It is dual-sided, full motion LED board sitting on a reflecting pool of water, with eight-foot tall letters that spell out “Grandscape.”

Grandscape welcome installation // photos Jennifer Shertzer

An interior fountain will be the focal point of an evening 3D projection show that will occur hourly after sunset. There is also a 35-foot sculpture called “Kaleidoscope,” made of triangular LED panels. Colors on the panels appear to move and change with the wind. At certain points of the day, the top part of the sculpture will change to “selfie mode.” People standing near a camera will be able to see themselves in the top panels.

Of course businesses are what will likely draw people to Grandscape. During the planning stages, developers identified tenants that they thought would offer visitors something they couldn’t find elsewhere in the area.

“We wanted things to be different,” Katie said. “We wanted to have a destination draw as far as unique tenants go.”

That begins with anchor tenant Scheels. The North Dakota-based sporting goods store has 27 locations across the nation’s midsection. Its first foray into Texas will be the world’s largest stand-alone sporting goods store, complete with a 65-foot indoor Ferris wheel.

Andretti’s Indoor Karting and Games is named for the famous racing family. In addition to go kart racing, it features a full arcade, laser tag, bowling, dining and virtual reality experiences.

Galaxy Theatres will open its second Texas location at Grandscape in May. It bills itself as a “luxury movie experience” and will feature state-of-the art audio and video that patrons can enjoy in full power recliners. There will also be a full-service bar, restaurant and two large format auditoriums.

On the other end of the scale, Grandscape’s Homestead area features a collection of smaller local businesses in a neighborhood-like setting. They include ice cream shop Sweet Peaks, all-natural snow cone shop Gnome Cones, Triple T Popcorn, and Julie’s Sweets, which makes cakes, cookies, cupcakes and pies. Magic Hour, a home goods store with that began in the Bishop Arts District, is there, along with the locally based White Rock Soap Company and Ettiene Market. The Homestead section will be anchored by a yet-to-be-announced wine bar.

“This area features unique small shops that are local,” Katie said. “We wanted to give them this really cool opportunity and a place to thrive.”

Grandscape visitors won’t go home hungry or thirsty. Among a wide range of dining options will be Michelin Starred chef Akira Black’s namesake restaurant, which will offer Korean and Japanese inspired dishes. Davio’s North Italian Steakhouse will open its first Texas location as well. Other restaurants include Twig’s American Kitchen, Denton-based Barley & Board, Parry’s Pizza, LSA Burger, the Thirsty Lion and Seven Doors Kitchen & Cocktails among many more.

“We wanted to give people 100 reasons to come here,” Katie said. “Then when they get here, we want them to find 100 more reasons to come back.”