What Frederick Brickworks $450M Redevelopment Means for the Community

A historic site reimagined

A major historic gateway in Frederick is officially turning the page. Developer Greenberg Gibbons has broken ground on Frederick Brickworks, a massive $450 million, 65-acre mixed-use development transforming long-standing industrial grounds along the East Street corridor into a vibrant, walkable destination for living, dining, and shopping.

The site originally housed the historic Frederick Brick Works factory, which opened in 1891 and produced the iconic “Frederick Reds”—bricks that built much of the city's historic downtown core. Brick manufacturing ended at the plant in 1946, though material operations continued until 2007. Following Planning Commission master plan approval in October 2023 and Greenberg Gibbons' land acquisition in June 2026, active sitework is now underway.

Key Highlights of the Deal

• Commercial & Anchor Space: The development includes 130,000 square feet of commercial space, anchored by a 35,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market and co-anchored by a 30,000-square-foot Club Studio fitness club.
• Curated Retail & Dining: Confirmed restaurant and service tenants feature Shake Shack, honeygrow, First Watch, Dave's Hot Chicken, and Inspire Nail Bar.
• Expanded Housing Scope: The full master plan calls for 1,260 total residential units. Phase 1 will deliver 332 rental apartments and 320 for-sale townhomes constructed by homebuilders Wormald and NVR Inc.
• Public Parkland & Connectivity: The project features dedicated public green space and pedestrian walkways designed to integrate with the surrounding East Street corridor.

Economic & Fiscal Impact

• Job Creation: Anticipated to support approximately 5,600 total jobs, consisting of 4,300 construction jobs and 1,300 permanent positions.
• Annual Economic Output: Projected to generate $181 million in annual business sales and $52 million in annual employee compensation.
• Municipal Tax Revenue: Generates over $10 million in direct city revenue during construction (permits and fees), followed by $7.6 million in total annual tax revenue ($2.6 million directly to the City of Frederick) to support public services and infrastructure.

Development Timeline

Source Links & References

• Shopping Center Business - Greenberg Gibbons Groundbreaking: https://shoppingcenterbusiness.com/greenberg-gibbons-breaks-ground-on-450-million-mixed-use-project-in-frederick-maryland/
• Shopping Center Business - Club Studio Announcement: https://shoppingcenterbusiness.com/club-studio-to-co-anchor-450-million-mixed-use-destination-in-frederick-maryland/
• City of Frederick Economic Development Blog: https://www.businessinfrederickblog.com/businessinfrederick/frederickbrickworks
• City of Frederick Facebook Video Announcement: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1403184405063491