Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise FC Cincinnati (FCC) has unveiled the team that will deliver its $300m (£233.8m/€274m) mixed-use district adjacent to TQL Stadium.
Located in the West End of the city, the district will be in the heart of Cincinnati. FCC has appointed RIOS as master plan architect to lead a design that will seek to build on the distinct heritage of the West End.
The district intends to attract new investment, residents, visitors, and experiences to the neighbourhood with a hotel, apartments, office space, retail, restaurants, entertainment venues and a public space.
“We look to RIOS to create a community hub at the front steps of TQL Stadium, rooted in history and legacy, that aesthetically inspires and unites our city with a bold and inclusive vision for the future,” said Jeff Berding, co-CEO of FC Cincinnati.
Founded in Los Angeles, RIOS has a recent project portfolio that includes ocV!BE, a $4bn development project that will surround the Honda Center arena in Anaheim, California.
“RIOS was selected because of their global design talent and their commitment to seek out and incorporate community input into their design,” said Chad Munitz, chief development officer at FC Cincinnati.
“From day one community input has been important to FC Cincinnati, and we believe RIOS’ experience working with communities during the design process will result in an exciting, world-class district.”
FC Cincinnati will partner with Marquee Development as master developer for the district. Other project partners announced yesterday (Thursday) include: Messer Construction Co. and TriVersity Construction (construction manager); Cushman & Wakefield (commercial broker); Sanders Development Group (development partner); and North American Properties (multi-family apartment developer)
FCC commenced demolition work in preparation for the district back in February, with the club taking inspiration from similar projects near major stadiums in the US. FCC cited three mixed-use districts as inspirations for its plans. One is Gallagher Way, which is adjacent to Wrigley Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.
Another is The Wharf, which is located close to Nationals Park and Audi Field, the respective homes of MLB’s Washington Nationals and MLS team D.C. United. The third district mentioned by FC Cincinnati was Titletown at Lambeau Field, home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
FC Cincinnati opened TQL Stadium in May 2021 after breaking ground on the project in December 2018. The 26,000-seat stadium was built at a cost of $250m.
