Cleveland Browns and Brook Park Unveil New Stadium Master Plan

The Brook Park master plan, released by the city and Haslam Sports Group, outlines a mixed‑use district to surround the Browns’ new $2.4 billion stadium. The 68‑page document focuses on streetscape, circulation, building design, retail programming, and wayfinding.

Phasing and architectural guidance will drive the development. The plan aims to repurpose vacant industrial land near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport by 2029.

Master Plan Context and Goals

The plan aims to create a year‑round, pedestrian‑oriented district that goes beyond game days. It emphasizes cohesive design standards and public realm enhancements.

Connective spaces will anchor the stadium as a central hub. The plan also leverages nearby airport access and regional transit opportunities.

Development Phasing

The plan divides development into phases that align with stadium construction and long‑term growth.

• Phase 1, built with the stadium, includes the stadium itself, a 350‑room hotel, an event venue, ground‑floor retail, and 624 apartment units for about 900 residents, plus surface game‑day parking.
• Full build‑out replaces some Phase 1 surface lots with more residential buildings (964 additional units), two office buildings, parks, a dual hotel‑residential tower, 300,000 square feet of retail, 500,000 square feet of office space, and six parking garages with 5,667 stalls.

Urban Design and Streetscape

The master plan prioritizes a human‑scale streetscape and accessible public spaces. Design features include narrow streets to calm traffic, buffered furnishing zones, and wide sidewalks linking parking to retail areas.

Linear parks and a reconstructed Engle Road are envisioned as public spaces that connect the district and encourage pedestrian movement.

Architectural Vision and Materials

The architectural guidance seeks a civic identity grounded in the region’s industrial and natural heritage. Key principles include:

• Buildings with a minimum height of 30 feet and a clear three‑part composition: base, middle, and top.
• Pedestrian‑friendly ground‑floor retail to activate the streets.
• Materials that reflect Northeast Ohio’s character, such as brick, steel accents, and wood‑inspired detailing.

Year‑Round Lifestyle District

The plan envisions a district driven by dining, shopping, public art, and programming. The goal is to keep the area active during the NFL off‑season by weaving retail, entertainment, and cultural experiences into the urban fabric.

Placemaking, Signage and Public Art

Coherent signage, lighting, and interactive public art are proposed to reinforce the Browns brand and aid navigation. The concept centers on a unified visual language and wayfinding strategy to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen place identity in the Cleveland metro area.

Transit, Connectivity and Regional Access

Public transit access is acknowledged, but plans for a new Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Red Line station are uncertain. There is no secured funding, and GCRTA did not participate formally in planning.

This highlights the challenge of aligning transportation investments with a multi‑year mixed‑use program.

Implementation Timeline and Funding

Groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2. Vertical construction may depend on the stadium’s progress.

The plan notes about $600 million in state backing. Funding for the full build‑out remains unconfirmed and will depend on political priorities, market conditions, and the ability to align capital for the phased program.

Implications for Architecture and Engineering

For architects and engineers, the Brook Park plan presents a demanding but transformative opportunity.

Key implications include:

• Integrating a stadium precinct with a dense, mixed‑use urban block while preserving sightlines and acoustics.
• Managing crowd flow during event days.
• Designing a pedestrian‑friendly ground level that activates a long street front.
• Connecting parking, transit, and open spaces without creating inactive areas.
• Addressing massing strategies that meet the 30‑foot‑plus height guidance while keeping a human scale at street level.
• Ensuring structural systems support hotel, office, and residential uses under different occupancy needs.
• Coordinating flood control, stormwater management, and sustainability measures on a large site near an airport.
• Planning cohesive wayfinding, using durable materials, and building resilient infrastructure to support year‑round, art‑driven placemaking linked to the Browns and local culture.

 
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