A ceremonial groundbreaking Monday marked the start of the long-planned project, which developers say will breathe new life into the area and create jobs.
ARLINGTON, Texas — One of Arlington’s most recognizable shopping centers is getting a major makeover.
Construction is officially underway on the $135 million redevelopment of Lincoln Square, a decades-old retail center near AT&T Stadium that will soon become Anthem, a new entertainment, dining and shopping destination city leaders hope will become the front door to Arlington’s Entertainment District.
A ceremonial groundbreaking Monday marked the start of the long-planned project, which developers say will breathe new life into the area while also creating jobs and attracting new businesses.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the next chapter,” one project leader said during the ceremony.
Just a short walk from AT&T Stadium, businesses already operating at Lincoln Square say they’re looking forward to what’s ahead.
“It’s been really busy, especially for that FIFA event that’s been going on,” said Giselle De La Cruz, assistant manager at Urban Bird Hot Chicken, which opened just over a year ago. “It did bring a lot of customers.”
She said she hopes the redevelopment will bring even more.
“It will make our sales go up too, which we are trying to grow,” De La Cruz said.
The project will officially rebrand Lincoln Square as Anthem, a name developers say represents a new chapter for the property.
When complete, Anthem will feature a walkable mix of restaurants, retail, entertainment and public gathering spaces designed to serve both Arlington residents and the millions of visitors who come to the Entertainment District each year. Plans include upgraded storefronts, landscaped plazas, outdoor seating, public art, event space and new restaurant concepts.
“This is the gateway to downtown Arlington and the Arlington Entertainment District,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said.
Ross said the redevelopment is about more than giving an aging shopping center a facelift.
“What really matters is this type of project here,” he said. “It’s bringing tax dollars to Arlington. It’s bringing jobs to Arlington.”
Trademark Property Company, which purchased Lincoln Square in 2022, says the redevelopment is designed to create a destination where people gather before and after concerts, Cowboys and Rangers games, and other major events in the Entertainment District. Developers say more than 35,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space is already in final lease negotiations.
Construction is expected to continue through 2028.
By then, city leaders and business owners hope Anthem will become Arlington’s newest gathering place — whether it’s for shopping, dinner, a movie or simply the perfect date night.