Purchased by Jerome Karam, a prevalent Friendswood attorney and developer, specializing in restoring and repurposing large commercial properties – utilizing their existing architecture and bringing new life to the space – this iconic piece of Texas City history has undergone a complete revitalization since joining the JMK5 Holdings portfolio.

Over the course of five years, it has become home to Texas Entertainment Xperience (TEX), the largest entertainment center in Texas, the country’s largest World Gym, 33 fully furnished executive suites, Mainland City Suites, education facilities, and 9 award winning restaurants, making up Mainland City Centre’s Restaurant Row, with access to future festival grounds and outdoor entertainment facility.

The Mall of the Mainland, developed by a joint venture of Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. and the MG Herring Group, opened in 1991.

[4] In 1997 the bank took over the mall, because, as Ralph Bivins of the Houston Chronicle said in 2002, "the developer failed to make it a highly successful retail venture."

"[2] An investment group headed by Bob Yari and Kam Mateen bought the Mall of the Mainland in May 2002.

Bivins added that the Mall of the Mainland was "criticized for not being highly visible from" Interstate 45 (Gulf Freeway), which carries traffic between Galveston and Houston.

[7] In 2010, Brentwood Group filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, and the mall became owned by Pacific Western Bank.

Karam told the Houston Chronicle in an interview that he is offering "1980s-level" rents for lease space, keeping the mall competitive.

While the mall is not yet completely leased, it continues to make a comeback and, in addition to the above tenants, now houses an Altitude Trampoline Park, Stuttgarden Tavern, and other small shops.

[10] In May 2020, it was announced that Palais Royal would be closing due to the parent company filing for bankruptcy and liquidating all locations, unless a buyer for the chain can be found.

In 2020 Odyssey Academy Charter School Pk3-6th grades moved into the Mainland City Centre on the back end near Sears side of old mall next to movie theater.