Courtesy of the City of Arlington
Lincoln Square, a popular destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in Arlington’s Entertainment District, is preparing for a major transformation.
Established in 1983 and located at the southwest corner of Collins Street and Interstate 30, Lincoln Square has served as a retail hub for north Arlington for decades. Now, it is set to undergo a redevelopment project that will transition it into a retail and dining destination called Anthem.
The project will include facade upgrades, new tenant spaces, parking lot improvements, enhanced entryways and plaza areas designed for community use, according to a City of Arlington press release.
Marty Wieder, executive director of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation, said the name “Anthem” reflects Arlington’s strong connection to sports and patriotism. Wieder said the proximity to the entertainment district is also a contributing factor.
“It’s kind of nice to be tipping the hat to Arlington’s patriotic reputation,” Wieder said.
Wieder said Arlington City Council members felt strongly about the resurgence and renewal of the center after witnessing its decline, calling upon the corporation to help buy the center out.
“Since Arlington is 90 to 95% build out, we have to think wisely and selectively in different cases to help major projects be transformationally renewed, redeveloped, reinspired and then re-tenanted,” he said.
The incentives will help fund infrastructure improvements such as water and sewer systems, underground power lines, stormwater utilities, lighting, pavement, landscaping, signage and more.
The corporation will provide about $24,498,509 in incentives for the project, with around $10,039,172 going toward required public infrastructure improvements to make the center mostly operational.
Courtesy of the City of Arlington.
Additional funds will support enhancements such as burying power lines and improving landscaping to make the area more visibly attractive, potentially encouraging more visitors and increasing sales tax revenue for Arlington, Wieder said.
“The longer they stay, they find someplace else to go, they end up maybe buying a meal,” he said. “They’re dropping more sales tax revenue as a result, and that benefits all Arlington residents.”
Residents could see construction for the center as soon as mid-2026, with new businesses opening as soon as 2027 and most being present by early 2028.
Wieder said some existing businesses will remain open during the redevelopment because they still have active leases. However, many new restaurants and retail stores are expected to move into the area as the project develops.
The redevelopment will also include small outdoor gathering places and parks where people can come hang out, eat, relax, stay and play, he said.
Wieder said the project will create job growth in full-time equivalents as part of the agreement, along with construction jobs during demolition and infrastructure improvements.
The project also aims to encourage visitors to spend more time in Arlington before events.
“We don’t want it to be a case where people feel the need to go get a drink or appetizers beforehand in another city,” he said. “We’d rather feel the value in ‘Let’s come over early, grab a bite to eat at Anthem, and then we’ll go catch the Rangers.’”
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