Dallas’ Lincoln Property Co. and HKS Partner with Cleveland Browns on Stadium-Anchored Entertainment District

Lincoln Property Co. will team up with the Cleveland Browns to develop a mixed-use entertainment district in Brook Park, Ohio, anchored by a new enclosed stadium for the 80-year-old NFL franchise. Dallas’ HKS is designing the project. [Rendering: Business Wire]

Two Dallas-based companies have been named to lead development and design of the Cleveland Browns’ 176-acre mixed-use entertainment district in Brook Park, Ohio.

Lincoln Property Co. has been announced as the development partner for the project, which is designed by Dallas architecture firm HKS. The entertainment district will be anchored by a new “world-class” enclosed stadium for the 80-year-old NFL franchise, which is owned by the Haslam Sports Group.

“Lincoln is working with the Browns and Haslam Sports Group to develop a well-thought-out and compelling vision for a live/work/play destination to complement the new Huntington Bank Field planned for Brook Park,” Peter Kelly, EVP of Lincoln’s Midwest operations, said in a statement. “The economic impact that this entire project will bring to Northeast Ohio is unmatched—the mixed-use development alone is expected to generate $1.2 billion annually and create more than 3,300 permanent jobs for the region. Northeast Ohio deserves a vibrant development like this, which will engage residents and visitors alike.”

Details on stadium and mixed-use entertainment district

Located adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the new 67,000-seat stadium will be the future home of Browns home games, in addition to hosting concerts, major sports tournaments and events, and conferences year-round.

Lincoln Property said the mixed-use entertainment district around the stadium will be developed across multiple phases and will ultimately include 300,000 square feet of retail, two upscale hotels, 1,100 apartments, and 500,000 square feet of office. The company said that Phase One, which is planned to deliver along with the stadium in 2029, will include 450 hotel rooms; 575 apartments; 96,000 square feet of traditional retail, suited for unique food & beverage and shopping destinations; and 137,000 square feet of experiential retail, which will include a team store, and other experience-based retail concepts that will drive year-round activation and community involvement.

“The most important component of any successful mixed-use project is the anchor. The new enclosed stadium will bring year-round events to the surrounding district, activating this region in a way that has never been feasible before,” David Binswanger, co-CEO of Lincoln, said in a statement. “Having planned 2,000 acres of mixed-use development across the country and counting, our team understands what fundamentals are needed for a project like this to succeed. Northeast Ohio and the Brook Park site have all the advantages, including a prime location and accessibility, to become a go-to entertainment destination in the U.S.”

Haslam Sports Group chose Lincoln based on its long history in developing major projects.

“HSG is thrilled to partner with such a respected firm as Lincoln on the mixed-used development connected to our new enclosed stadium and know they will create a memorable experience for all of Northeast Ohio and visitors throughout the year,” Dave Jenkins, COO of Haslam Sports Group said in a statement. “We’ve been focused on assembling a team of experts who create a best-in-class stadium experience that drives new visitors and economic activity to our region. Lincoln is internationally renowned, and we are excited for their work and impact on Northeast Ohio.”

Deep expertise in sports and entertainment venues

Lincoln said its sports practice was established in 2003 to build the most innovative sports, motorsports, and eSports facilities in the world.

It said that the Browns tapped into Lincoln’s six decades of expertise in entitlements, development, construction and project management to deliver entertainment destinations for several collegiate, professional, and eSports organizations.

Also, Lincoln’s development portfolio is composed of $7.4 billion in active mixed-use projects that includes 8,000 multifamily units that are complete or currently under construction.

Lincoln’s notable projects include The Star in Frisco, which is the headquarters and training center for Dallas Cowboys; Legacy Union, a multi-phase development in Downtown Charlotte adjacent to the Bank of America Stadium; The Rock at La Cantera, a 50-acre project in Northwest San Antonio, which includes a new San Antonio Spurs training facility and a performance center; and The Point, a planned 99-acre redevelopment project near Salt Lake City.

HKS is partnering as the design architect for the new stadium and master planning the mixed-use development site. The firm has created some of the most iconic multipurpose venues in the nation, including SoFi Stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

“We’re proud to be working with the Haslam family to create a versatile sports and entertainment venue for all of Northeast Ohio,” Mark A. Williams, partner and director of venues for HKS, said in a statement. “Our latest design for the National Football League will not only be home to one of the league’s most storied franchises, but it will also be a generational project for the region that will attract a wide array of major sporting and cultural events for years to come.”

Located in the city of Brook Park within Cuyahoga County, the 176-acre site is roughly 15 miles from downtown Cleveland.

Lincoln Property Co. is one of the largest private real estate firms in the United States and offers a fully integrated platform of real estate services and innovative solutions to owners, investors, lenders and occupiers.

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