Some of the nation’s biggest retail names—including Target, Burlington, and In-N-Out Burger—are headed to UNM’s South Campus as part of the new Lobo Crossing District, a long‑anticipated development just south of The Pit.
ALBBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Some of the nation’s biggest retail names—including Target, Burlington, and In-N-Out Burger—are headed to UNM’s South Campus as part of the new Lobo Crossing District, a long‑anticipated development just south of The Pit.
After offering a sneak peek earlier this week, project leaders at the University of New Mexico and SimonCRE are now sharing more details about what it took to bring the vision to life—and what it could mean for the surrounding community.
The project has been more than a decade in the making, and leaders say it has the potential to transform a long‑overlooked part of the city.
Tom Neale, chief operating officer of the Lobo Development Corporation, said the excitement surrounding the project is unlike anything he has seen in his two decades at UNM.
“In-N-Out Burger gets the most excitement,” Neale said.
But beyond the hype of popular restaurant chains, developers describe Lobo Crossing as 38 acres of opportunity.
Joshua Simon, founder and CEO of SimonCRE, acknowledged the site’s past challenges.
“I know it’s remained somewhat of an eyesore being right in the middle of town,” Simon said. “How do you really activate that piece of property?”
Now, he says, that answer is coming into focus.
The project represents the first major retail development in Albuquerque in roughly 20 years, targeting an area developers say has been underserved for decades.
“The southern tier has been overlooked for retail for decades,” Neale said. “It’s a food desert, retail desert, and I think there’s some excitement in the immediate community that finally there’s going to be some options.”
Developers say Lobo Crossing will bring new shopping, dining, jobs, and long‑term investment to the area, while generating millions of dollars for UNM’s South Campus.
“Retail isn’t dead,” Simon said. “It’s back.”
Beyond retail, project leaders say Lobo Crossing will help make UNM—and Albuquerque—more attractive for large-scale athletic tournaments, concerts, and national events.
“It really provides something for people to do before the game, after the game,” Simon said. “Get breakfast, do some shopping—everyone wins.”
The development is happening alongside the University Stadium improvement project, which Neale says could help the city draw major touring concerts and non‑football events.
“We’re hoping to bring in more events other than football,” Neale said. “More national touring concerts and other events.”
Construction is expected to begin within the next 30 days, with developers aiming to complete the project ahead of the 2027 holiday shopping season.
“We think this is going to be a transformation for the whole southern tier of the city,” Neale said.
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