The purpose of the repositioning was to develop a mall that wasn't the "same old, same old in Houston," Plenge says. "We wanted something a little more comfortable, a little more homey." Callison Architecture Inc., based in Seattle and VCC, a general contractor from Dallas, did the full-body makeover, which included new floors, ceilings, lighting and an overall newer, more comfortable decor.

Plenge tells GlobeSt.com that another path to higher occupancy and pedestrian traffic was retailer cooperation helped, in part, through leasing handled by Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. "Many of them [the tenants] were willing to do short-term renewals," he says. The roster includes Sears, Linens 'n Things and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Aeropostale, Applebee's and Steve & Barry's University Sportswear. Anchors May Co., Dillards and Foleys own their locations, totaling 576,075 sf.

West Oaks Mall was the California partnership's first and, to date, only retail holding in the Houston area. Plenge says if the opportunity presents itself that they will buy and renovate again. "It was fun and a challenge to do this," he adds. "We thought we did something out of the ordinary with this particular property."