Our recent research for a project in Cleveland, Ohio revealed some exciting new hospitality-related developments happening in the area. These developments will have an impact on tourism, employment, and the general economy in Cleveland and the surrounding areas in 2025 and beyond.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is ready for takeoff. A transformative, decade-long overhaul of the airport’s passenger terminal is taking flight, with the first $175 million phase set to begin in 2025. Passengers can look forward to expanded ticketing and gate areas, modernized customs and security zones, enhanced parking options, and smoother roadway access. Backed primarily by airline funding, the full $3 billion plan will roll out in phases, reshaping the region’s travel gateway for generations to come.
The Cleveland Browns are eyeing a bold move to the suburbs. Team owners have unveiled a $2.4 billion plan to build a state-of-the-art domed stadium in Brook Park, on the site of a former Ford plant near I-71 and the airport. The proposal envisions more than just a stadium—it’s a full-scale entertainment district with potential new hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. While the plan could be a game-changer for the area, it faces resistance from local officials and uncertainty over whether it can be realized before the team’s current lakefront lease ends in 2028.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is turning up the volume. A $135 million expansion is underway that will nearly double the museum’s size. The project will add dynamic new exhibit spaces, a 2,800-seat indoor concert venue, an atrium with sweeping views of Lake Erie, and an inclusive, ADA-compliant outdoor park. The new and improved Rock Hall is expected to debut in mid-2026, further cementing Cleveland’s role as the heart of rock history.
Progressive Field just hit a home run in stadium upgrades. In spring 2025, the Cleveland Guardians debuted $200 million in renovations to their downtown ballpark. Highlights include a sleek, modern clubhouse and a reimagined Upper Deck featuring a lively beer garden and an open-to-all food hall, making the ballpark experience more vibrant and inclusive than ever.
Sherwin-Williams is painting a bold new future downtown. The global paint and coatings giant is putting the final touches on its new 36-story headquarters near Public Square. Set to open in early 2026, the $750 million tower will be the fourth-tallest building in Cleveland and a strong symbol of the company’s investment in a thriving urban core.
The Cleveland Clinic is expanding its world-class care. The Main Campus is undergoing a massive transformation of the Cole Eye Institute, which will double its footprint to better serve growing patient demand. The new facility, combining the existing 130,000 square feet with an additional 150,000, will open by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, a new one-million-square-foot Neurological Institute is also in development. Opening in 2027, it will consolidate all neurological services under one roof, making it one of the largest of its kind in the country.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has evolved. A sweeping $150 million renovation has reimagined more than 375,000 square feet of the museum in University Circle. With immersive exhibits and a design inspired by nature itself, the revamped museum is now a national leader in sustainability as the first in the country to earn the LEED v4 BD+C NC Platinum certification.
