Anthem development fully funded, demolition of Lincoln Square to begin in May

Arlington leaders approved incentives as the long-awaited redevelopment project near AT&T Stadium and I-30 moves forward.

ARLINGTON, Texas — After years of delays and scaled-back plans, the long-awaited redevelopment of Lincoln Square has cleared a major hurdle.

Arlington city leaders recently approved incentives for the project, and Fort Worth-based developer Trademark Property says the redevelopment is now fully funded. Demolition of the aging shopping center is set to begin in May, making way for a new development called Anthem.

For longtime tenant Shirley Flores, owner of The Popcorn Store, the redevelopment’s progress brings relief.

The Popcorn Store has been in Lincoln Square since the center first opened decades ago. Flores has owned it for nearly nine years. In recent years, she said, declining foot traffic and empty storefronts have taken a toll.

“We’re excited and it’s exciting to hear that it’s getting underway,” Flores said.

But she acknowledged the wait has been difficult. The shopping center, filled with empty storefronts, has struggled to attract shoppers. 

“We don’t have as many tenants and we don’t have the foot traffic that we had,” she said.

Lincoln Square sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, just off Interstate 30 near AT&T Stadium. Despite its prime location, developer Terry Montesi said many drivers barely notice it.

“When you drive by Lincoln Square today, you don’t even know it’s there,” said Montesi, CEO of Trademark Property Company.

Montesi said that is about to change.

“It’s gonna be destination-worthy,” he said.

Trademark is also behind the revitalization of Galleria Dallas and Alliance Town Center.

The revised Anthem plan calls for about 70,000 square feet of retail space, new façade upgrades and redesigned common areas intended to create a more walkable, experience-driven environment.

Montesi said the project will focus on elevated casual dining, lifestyle retailers, and outdoor spaces that will bring entertainment.

“Lot of very good food and beverage, casual dining, but better,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of retail. It won’t be luxury retail, but a lot of much better retail to serve the whole North Arlington market.”

New tenants are signing leases, though Montesi declined to name specific brands. He said several Dallas-Fort Worth favorites and national retailers have expressed interest.

Earlier versions of the redevelopment included plans for hotels and multifamily apartments. Those components were removed because of market conditions, resulting in a leaner project with fewer retail spaces but a stronger emphasis on destination appeal.

“It’s going to be a complete transformation,” Montesi said. “You literally won’t recognize any piece of it when we’re done.”

Final design plans are expected to be submitted to the city by the end of June. The project’s construction is slated for completion by the end of 2027. Shops will begin opening in 2028.

If successful, the redevelopment could reshape a highly visible corridor near Dallas Cowboys territory and reposition Lincoln Square as a front door to North Arlington.