They planned to open a large SFA store accompanied by a small number of specialty shops along the then-successful model pioneered by Los Angeles-based Bullock's with its "Fashion Square" centers.
It chose a property about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from The Galleria, which had opened in 1969 anchored by Dallas-based Neiman Marcus, a powerful and local competitor to SFA in the upscale and luxury department store segments.
SFA was the fourth department store to open in the Uptown or Post Oak area, following Sakowitz, Joske's, Neiman Marcus.
The revamped Pavilion featured luxurious design with glass corridors, floors of Arizona-sourced flagstones, fountains, mahogany handrails, 90 palm trees, and an underground parking deck.
Also in 1995, the center was foreclosed on and new ownership sought to add more entertainment options to the mall, including a bookstore, restaurants, or the return of a movie theater.
In early 1996, the mall was renamed a second time, to "Pavilion at Post Oak", removing "Saks Fifth Avenue" as part of its name, stating its intention to better communicate its diverse mix of retailers beyond just its anchor department store.
In 1997 Saks announced a plan to closed its store at the Pavilion and move to its newly-acquired location at The Galleria, in which it would invest $50 million.