North Austin Retail Hub Gateway Shopping Center Acquired by EDENS

National owner-operator plans placemaking upgrades and leasing outreach for the long-standing retail center.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Gateway Shopping Center, a major open-air retail hub in North Austin, has been acquired by national owner-operator EDENS. The company says it plans to invest in public gathering areas and other placemaking upgrades for the property, which is anchored by national tenants like Best Buy, The Container Store, and Crate & Barrel.

Why it matters

The acquisition of Gateway Shopping Center by EDENS represents a shift in the North Austin retail landscape, as institutional buyers return to well-located, grocery-anchored open-air centers in the region. This move underscores renewed investor appetite for retail properties that offer steady foot traffic and more predictable cash flows.

The details

EDENS, a national owner-operator of open-air retail and mixed-use properties, confirmed the acquisition of Gateway Shopping Center this week. The company says it plans to invest in widened plazas, upgraded landscaping, and improved seating to make the center more event-friendly and walkable. Recent tenant departures, including Saks Off 5th and Simar Mexican Grill & Bar, will also be addressed as part of a broader repositioning plan, though the approach is described as a measured repositioning rather than an immediate redevelopment.

  • EDENS acquired Gateway Shopping Center in February 2026.

The players

EDENS

A national owner-operator of open-air retail and mixed-use properties that has added Gateway Shopping Center to its Texas portfolio.

Gateway Shopping Center

A long-standing open-air retail hub on Research Boulevard in North Austin, anchored by national tenants such as Best Buy, The Container Store, and Crate & Barrel.

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What’s next

EDENS plans to roll out its placemaking work at Gateway Shopping Center in the months ahead, with clearer public spaces and added programming expected to be introduced incrementally.

The takeaway

The acquisition of Gateway Shopping Center by EDENS reflects a broader trend of institutional buyers returning to well-located, grocery-anchored open-air retail centers in the Austin market, drawn by the promise of steady foot traffic and more predictable cash flows. This move signals a measured repositioning of the property rather than an immediate redevelopment, as EDENS seeks to enhance the center's public spaces and tenant mix.