Construction on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ side of the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center is on track to be largely finished by the end of the year, marking a milestone in a sweeping riverfront redevelopment project in downtown Cleveland led by Bedrock.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- Integrated Care Models: The new 210,000-square-foot facility combines professional sports training with advanced clinical specialties like cardiology and pulmonology.
- Access Across Lifespans: This downtown facility brings specialized sports medicine and physiological testing to athletes of all ages and skill levels.
Downtown Cleveland’s Riverfront Transformation Takes Shape
The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to relocate to their new practice facility situated near West Third Street in the Flats during February’s NBA All-Star Break. This structure marks the initial phase of a grand strategy conceived by Bedrock, the property division overseeing Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s enterprise.
Across the street, Bedrock is working with sister company Rock Entertainment Group on plans for a 6,200-seat amphitheater, which will be run by Live Nation. Antony Bonavita, executive vice president and chief venues and development officer at Rock Entertainment Group, noted to News 5 regarding the broader vision, There’s great cities that have really done well with their lakes and their riverfronts. And we’re coming.
Clinical Integration at the Global Peak Performance Center
The facility bridges elite athletic preparation with clinical access. Scheduled to open fully in August 2027, the 210,000-square-foot building divides operational control. While the Cavs utilize basketball courts, treatment and recovery areas, family spaces, and a public lobby on the ground floor, the Cleveland Clinic controls the other side of the building.
This clinical side will be staffed by professionals in sports medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, genetics and other specialties. Athletes of all ages and skill levels will be able to come for testing, training and treatment.
| Project Phase / Component | Key Milestone & Timeline | Operational Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Cavs Practice Facility Side | Construction largely complete by end of year; move-in February (NBA All-Star Break) | Courts, treatment and recovery areas, family gathering zones, public lobby. |
| Suburban Relocation Site | Current Independence facility transition | To be utilized by the Cleveland Sirens, a WNBA expansion team launching in 2028. |
| Cleveland Clinic Medical Wing | Full opening scheduled for August 2027 | Cardiology, pulmonology, genetics, sports medicine, and physiological testing. |
| Infrastructure Access Ramp | Aligns with August opening timelines | New Eagle Avenue ramp bridging Ontario Street across railroad tracks into the Flats. |
Geographical Engineering and Regional Access
Connecting the upper edge of downtown to the riverfront presents civil engineering challenges. Dan Whalen pointed out the geography behind Tower City, where developers must contend with road networks sitting 100 feet above active rail lines, bridges functioning as tunnels, and legacy steam tunnels dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.
Bedrock is constructing a new Eagle Avenue ramp stretching from Ontario Street across from Progressive Field down into the Flats. This access route spans the terrain and railroad tracks, cutting through an illuminated tunnel in the center of the building.
Contraindications & When to Consult a Doctor
Future Outlook for the Flats and Regional Sports
As construction milestones wrap up on the primary building this year, the footprint of downtown Cleveland continues to expand. Operations for the WNBA expansion franchise known as the Cleveland Sirens—which is being established by Gilbert and Rock Entertainment Group for a 2028 debut—will take place at the Independence suburban training complex.
By blending athletic training spaces with multidisciplinary clinical care, the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center establishes a new urban benchmark for how professional sports infrastructure can intersect with public health and regional revitalization.
