Texas Live! has its grand-opening blowout

Here are 5 cool things about the venue.

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who has a restaurant called Troy’s in the new Texas Live! entertainment/dining/hotel complex in Arlington, put things pretty succinctly during his turn in a series of speeches at the $250 million development’s grand opening Thursday night.

“I remember when I toured the first time, and they told me that they’d be opening Aug. 9,” Aikman said. “Having built a couple of houses, I said, ‘There’s no way this place opens Aug. 9.’ The fact that we’re here is a real testament to the .... workers who put in so much time and effort.”

Time and effort during a summer that included temperatures as high as 109 degrees, to hit the target date on a two-story complex that houses some half-dozen restaurants, a couple of bars, a large open area with a big screen and an outdoor concert venue. Individual restaurants rarely hit their target dates; that a place with this many restaurants could get them to all open on time is pretty impressive.

Besides Troy’s, Texas Live! is also home to Pudge’s Pizza, from former Texas Rangers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez; Guy’s Taco Joint from celebrity chef Guy Fieri; PBR Texas, a large restaurant and bar with a spacious dance floor and a 7,000-foot-balcony that overlooks Arlington Backyard (the concert venue); a location of Lockhart Smokehouse; and more.

“Pudge serves pizza,” Aikman said. “I serve primarily gourmet burgers. He’s too good of a friend for me to be in competition with him, but I sure hope y’all like burgers a little bit more than you like pizza.” (Rodriguez later greeted fans and posed for photos outside Pudge’s Pizza, which helped explain why it had one of the longest lines.)

Texas Live!, which is kitty-corner from Globe Life Park on Randol Mill Road, will also eventually be next to the new Globe Life Field to its east and to a Live! by Loews Hotel to the west. Both are under construction and expected to open within the next couple of years.

The grand opening was a bit of a whirlwind, with speeches and food tastings and a wall-to-wall crowd that sometimes made it difficult to determine what was a food line and what was just the tide of people trying to move through — and that was at a VIP preview before the place opened to the public at 8 p.m. and Fort Worth’s the Toadies and Dallas’ Eleven Hundred Springs gave a free concert.

Here are a few things we liked about the development.

1. The view it will have of Globe Life Field ... eventually. Right now, the new stadium, due to open in 2020, is a construction site filled with rebar and cranes. But you can see it shaping up, and the view from that porch outside PBR Texas will be pretty sweet.
2. The burger menu at Troy’s. There’s more to Troy’s than burgers, but the place is aiming for Rodeo Goat territory with things like a Frito Pie burger, a Texas Heat burger (with Sriracha mayo, fried and seared jalapeños and chipotle garlic ketchup), a Korean BBQ burger and a lamb Merguez burger with harrisa yogurt and garlic pickles. He’s even keeping vegetarians in mind with a house-made veggie patty.
3. The “living room” of Texas Live! Texas Live! is arranged, more or less, in a large circle with restaurants on the periphery and a large open area on both floors. Most of the restaurants are full-service; a couple, like Pudge’s Pizza and Guy’s Taco Joint, are more fast-casual, order-at-the-counter places. A focal point of the development is Live! Arena, anchored by a 90-foot HDTV, where Rangers games will be screened in a live feed, with watching parties for away games. Naturally, other sports will be broadcast when the Rangers aren’t playing, and the seating area is a comfortable place to watch the action.
4. The “adult playground” at Sports and Social. Big game room on the second floor of restaurant Sports and Social, with Skee-ball, golf simulators, Foosball, shuffleboard, pingpong tables and more.
5. PBR Texas. This is the largest PBR Texas location in the country, and it looks like it’ll have a rowdy bull-riding flair, especially with its two mechanical bulls (one of which was being demonstrated by a young woman who wasn’t exactly dressed for bull riding), its large dance floor and its booming sound system — not to mention that big balcony with its concert and new-ballpark views.

Among music acts scheduled to perform in Arlington Backyard in coming weeks are Jerrod Niemann, Jason Boland & the Stragglers, Better Than Ezra, Pat Green and Papa Roach.

The 200,000-square-foot complex is across the street from Globe Life Park, the current home of the Texas Rangers, and is planned to be a year-round attraction with events taking place when no games are being played at the Rangers stadium or nearby AT&T Stadium, which is visible from many spots in and outside Texas Live!

The $150 million Live! by Loews hotel, which includes 35,000 square feet of convention space, will open in 2019 and add 220 permanent jobs.

Texas Live! is now open to the public, with grand-opening festivities continuing through Sunday. For info, visit http://texas-live.com

Source

Troy Aikman Announces New Restaurant To Open At Texas Live!

Troy Aikman unveiled exciting details today for his first restaurant and entertainment concept which will open within Texas Live! in the Arlington Entertainment District – Troy's. Plans for the venue were shared by Aikman as part of an exclusive first look at the construction progress of Texas Live!, the $250 million world-class dining, entertainment and hospitality district being developed in partnership between the Texas Rangers, The Cordish Companies and the City of Arlington. Troy's, which will debut with the project late this summer, will join the likes of Arlington Backyard, Live! Arena, Rangers Republic, the country's flagship PBR Country Bar, Revolver Brewing and Lockhart Smokehouse in anchoring Texas Live!.

Designed by internationally-acclaimed Jeffrey Beers International, the space will flow from a refined rustic interior inspired from some of the best beer halls in Texas and the country to an expansive, lush outdoor patio space centered around a beautiful Live Oak tree. An indoor/outdoor stage in the middle will welcome live music seven days a week featuring a variety of local and regional acts. Additionally, Troy's will feature a major LED display for a premier sports viewing experience.

"The opportunity to be a part of a world-class development in the heart of America's Capital of Sports and Entertainment is incredibly exciting for me," stated Troy Aikman. "We are working to create the perfect blend of dining and socializing that I hope people will love for years to come."

Local guests and out of town visitors will enjoy an elevated menu at Troy's based upon Aikman's personal favorites including gourmet burgers with bold flavors and specialty margaritas made from the freshest ingredients. The menu will showcase several healthy lunch and dinner options, shareable sides, a selection of craft cocktails and a curated collection of wine and beer.

"We could not be more honored that Troy Aikman decided to open his first restaurant at Texas Live!," stated Reed Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies. "His plans for the concept are outstanding and we know that it will be a wonderful addition to Texas Live! and Arlington Entertainment District."

"Every new announcement for Texas Live! is adding something special to the district," stated Rob Matwick, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Texas Rangers. "Troy's will be an iconic addition and will quickly become a favorite for local residents and out of town guests." 

Texas Live!, one of the largest and most exciting sports-anchored developments in the country, will feature 200,000 square feet of best-in-class local, regional and national dining and entertainment and a 5,000-capacity outdoor event pavilion. Additionally, the project will debut the country's flagship Live! by Loews hotel with 35,000 square feet of meeting/convention space in 2019. Texas Live! is bringing more than 3,000 new jobs to the City of Arlington and Tarrant County, including 2,000 new construction jobs and 1,025 new permanent jobs. The project will open late this summer between the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Park and the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX and will sit directly adjacent to the Rangers' new Globe Life Field when it opens in 2020.

SOURCE The Cordish Companies

HKS Selected to Design New Ballpark for Arlington

ARLINGTON

The Texas Rangers today announced that HKS, Inc., has been selected to design the new ballpark to be built in Arlington. 

The new ballpark, which is being built as a public-private partnership between the City of Arlington and the Rangers, will not only be the team’s new home but also a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue that will include capabilities for hosting high school, college and international sports as well as entertainment tours. 

A nationally renowned sports and entertainment design firm, with its main headquarters in Dallas, HKS served as architect of record on the The Ballpark in Arlington (now Globe Life Park in Arlington), which opened in 1994. 

“For us, the new Texas Rangers Ballpark development is very special. It carries its own rich identity based on a combination of tradition, heritage, character and ambition that will ultimately represent itself as the premier destination in North Texas,” explained HKS’ Bryan Trubey, executive vice president and principal designer on the project. “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new development that will impact not only the Texas Rangers and their fans, but the city of Arlington and the entire region for many years to come.” 

“HKS has an outstanding track record of designing iconic sports facilities, both in North Texas and around the country,” said Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick. “HKS’ vision for this new facility will incorporate all of the features that will make this venue the best in Major League Baseball. We look forward to working with them to achieve that result.” 

The design for the new ballpark, which will be built on what is now a team parking lot south of Randol Mill Road, will include a retractable roof for climate control and shelter for fans during the hot summer months. The new venue – designed with a street-side that is different than anything in baseball – will complement and enhance the fabric of the surrounding Texas Live! development – a mixed-used entertainment district featuring dining, entertainment, a hotel and a convention center. 

The design phase of the ballpark is currently underway with construction expected to be begin later in the year. The facility is expected to open in time for the start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season. 

While designs and costs have not been finalized, a new ballpark and related infrastructure is estimated at $1 billion. The master agreement for this public-private partnership calls for a 50-50 split between the Texas Rangers and the City of Arlington, with the City’s financial contribution capped at $500 million. Arlington’s ballpark bonds to finance the project were approved by voters in a City referendum on November 8. The Texas Rangers’ 30-year lease on the City-owned Globe Life Park in Arlington was set to end in 2024. With the new master agreement, the Rangers’ partnership with Arlington extends until January 1, 2054. 

HKS, ranked as one of the top sports and entertainment design firms by BD World Architecture, has ushered in a new generation of multi-revenue-generating, world class sports facilities. The group’s ballpark portfolio includes Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; U.S. Cellular Field renovations in Chicago, Illinois; and Dodger Stadium renovations in Los Angeles, California. The firm is also well-known for its designs of the new NFL U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota; the top-grossing AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and the Indianapolis Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. These venues are known for enhancing and leveraging team brand, delivering an enhanced fan experience and serving as destination environments. 

About HKS
HKS, Inc. is a team of more than 1,300 architects, interior designers, urban designers, scientists, artists, anthropologists and other professionals working together across industries and across the globe to create places that delight, heal and stimulate peak performance. The firm has nurtured a culture of extraordinary people with curious and creative minds who are passionate about delivering elegant solutions. HKS has a dedicated research team that digs deep to discover processes and ideas that improve outcomes for everyone. In everything HKS does, it is mindful of the fragility of all life and of the planet.

About the Texas Rangers
Entering their 46th season in Arlington, the Texas Rangers play in Major League Baseball’s American League West Division. The Rangers own seven A.L. West Division titles (1996; 1998; 1999; 2010; 2011; 2015; 2016) and advanced to postseason play in five of the last seven seasons. Texas has won at least 87 games in seven of the last eight years beginning 2009, the only Major League team to make that claim. A community leader, the Rangers, through the work of their Baseball Foundation, are dedicated to improving the lives of children in need and providing funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education. Celebrating its 26th year, the Foundation has given back more than $14 million to help children in need.  

Texas Live! Elevates Arlington Among Major League cities

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ARLINGTON

Major League Baseball launched its new season all around the country this past week, but only one city could lay claim to the kind of future that America’s Game has brought to Arlington and the entire North Texas region.

Yeah, I know that football has tried to steal that title, but it really belongs to baseball because of the special place baseball holds.

After all, our nation invented the sport, and it is symbolic to our culture.

In all the excitement and pageantry of Opening Day in Arlington, some may have looked right past what took place across the street from Globe Life Park just one week earlier.

While there’s been plenty of news coverage about the development of Texas Live! as a companion to the new Rangers ballpark approved in a landslide vote in November, its groundbreaking came with substantial details we hadn’t heard before.

Rangers Executive Vice President Rob Matwick kicked off the ceremony with superlatives marking the occasion:

“We have an incredible vision for the Arlington Entertainment District, and today’s ceremony continues that forward momentum of our commitment to deliver this one-of-a-kind project to Arlington.”

Rangers developer partner Blake Cordish, vice president of The Cordish Companies, added his emphasis to the day’s announcements:

“We recognize the importance of the project. We are deeply aware that it’s been talked about for a long time. I can promise you that we and the Rangers are 100 percent committed to exceeding your expectations and doing everything possible to deliver the country’s premiere urban entertainment sports destination. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Rangers owner Ray Davis emphasized the ballclub’s 45-year partnership with Arlington: “I can’t imagine another city that could be more supportive of their sports team than this city.”

A 300-room upscale hotel is among the elements of the project, which is part of a $4 billion vision for the entertainment district and is expected to add $100 million annually to the local economy and bring more than 3,000 new jobs and three million additional visitors to the city.

Previously unannounced details included:

Rangers Republic, a celebration of the Rangers past, present and future, will be a two-level, 30,000-square-foot, family-friendly dining and entertainment venue that will allow fans unprecedented access to the Texas Rangers.

The Live Arena, a multi-level, central gathering place with over 35,000 square feet of best-in-class dining and entertainment options.

Arlington Backyard, a 5,000-capacity outdoor event pavilion that will become the “back yard” of Texas Live! It’s expected to host over 250 annual events, including cultural activities, art shows, regional and national concerts, charitable functions and community events, and will serve as the launching point for major festivals throughout the district.

The country’s flagship Professional Bull Riders venue, with a capacity exceeding 1,500 people and featuring a 7,000-square foot balcony overlooking Arlington Backyard.

A one-of-a-kind flagship restaurant launched by Emmy award winning chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality Guy Fieri.

Revolver Brewing’s working brewery, offering customers one-of-a-kind specialty beers specifically crafted for Texas Live!

Lockhart Smokehouse, with barbecue standards including brisket, ribs and other meats smoked low and slow over Texas post oak.

All of this is just the beginning, yet it’s already enough to distinguish Arlington as the only venue of its kind anywhere in the country with such an amazing future.

Inexplicably, a few of the city’s persistent naysayers didn’t greet the news with any kind of positive response.

You have to wonder why anyone would not be filled with renewed pride in their city with so much to celebrate about its impending ascendency.

Mayor Jeff Williams sees that promise.

“We are marking the beginning of something big in Arlington,” he said, “seeing a dream become a reality.”

Granbury’s Revolver Brewing to open an outpost in Texas Live!

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It has been an eventful 2016 for Revolver Brewing.

In August, the Granbury-based craft beer brewery — makers of the beloved Blood & Honey — was acquired by MillerCoors' Tenth & Blake Beer Co.

Earlier today, it was announced that the Ron and Rhett Keisler and Grant Wood-founded brewery will join, among others, the Texas Rangers and celebrity chef Guy Fieri in the new, 200,000-square foot, $250 million entertainment district known as Texas Live! when it opens in spring 2018.

“Revolver Brewery is an exciting, strong addition to Texas Live!,” said Rob Matwick, Texas Rangers executive vice president of business operations, in a statement. “Today’s announcement will provide our fans another excellent local experience in combination with national brands to experience at Texas Live! when it opens in 2018.”

According to a release, Revolver Brewing’s outpost at Texas Live! will be a working brewery, where visitors can sample the famous Blood & Honey, as well as “one-of-a-kind specialty beers specifically crafted for Texas Live!”

“The Revolver Brewing family is proud to be a part of such an amazing entertainment project,” said Rhett Keisler, Revolver Brewery co-founder, in a statement. “Our brand is inspired by great ingredients, as well as great music, and is a perfect fit for Texas Live!. We are thrilled to bring Revolver Brewing to Texas Live! and we look forward to crafting unique beers for the project.”

Construction on the first phase of the Texas Live! project, according to a spokesperson, began last week.

Exciting New Addition to Texas Live!

ARLINGTON

Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri to join lineup of concepts to open at $250 million world-class dining, entertainment and hospitality district

The Texas Rangers and The Cordish Companies are excited to announce an exciting new addition to Texas Live! when it debuts in the Spring of 2018. National award-winning chef and TV personality Guy Fieri will join previously announced anchor venues, Rangers Republic, Live! Arena and Arlington Backyard, within the $250 million world-class dining, entertainment and hospitality district. The partnership also released a video message from Guy Fieri that can be viewed here.

"It is exciting to welcome Guy Fieri to Texas Live!," commented Texas Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick. "Today's announcement incorporates an outstanding national brand into Texas Live!, which will give Rangers fans the best dining and entertainment experiences possible when it opens in 2018."

“We are thrilled to make this announcement with our development partner, the Texas Rangers, and to welcome Guy Fieri to Texas Live!,” stated Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer of The Cordish Companies. "Guy Fieri is one of the premier chefs in the country, so his decision to launch a new restaurant concept in Arlington at Texas Live! is incredibly exciting."

Guy Fieri, Emmy-award winning chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality, will be launching a one-of-a-kind, flagship restaurant concept for the project that will be developed specifically with Texas Live! in mind.

“It’s awesome to be partnering with the Texas Rangers and The Cordish Companies to bring a restaurant concept to Arlington,” stated Guy Fieri. “The Cordish team and I recently opened a big time concept at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, KY, and to now bring that energy to Arlington and the great state of Texas is something really special to me.”

“We are very pleased to see the first restaurant that will be coming to Texas Live!,” said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams. “It is exciting to have a world-renowned chef like Guy Fieri involved in this project. He instantly delivers a brand and audience that will be a draw for Texas Live! and Arlington’s Entertainment District.”

Texas Live! will set a new standard in sports-anchored developments and will cement Arlington as one of the premier sports, entertainment and hospitality destinations in the country for decades to come. The project will bring over 3,000 new jobs and 3 million new visitors to Arlington upon its opening in 2018.

Community Benefits

The Cordish Companies' Texas Live!

ARLINGTON

Texas Live! is committed to being a model for community-based development and ensuring that the project generates maximum benefits and opportunities for local residents and businesses.

• 3,025 Total Jobs

  Creates 2,000 construction and 1,025 permanent jobs.

• $2 Billion

  $2 Billion in direct and indirect salaries during its first 40 years.

• $100 Million

  $100 Million per year in economic output to the City of Arlington and Tarrant County.

• 25%

  MWBE goal for the construction of the project.

• Apprenticeships

  Assist qualified local minority and women workers and apprentices to enter the region’s pool of skilled labor by promoting apprenticeship opportunities during construction.

• Local and Diverse Workforce Hiring

  Recruitment, training and employment policies will be implemented to achieve a diverse workforce at all levels of its organization.

• Community Event Bookings

  Assist the City in the event booking of College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington, as well as host community events year-round, many of which will be free to the public or in partnership with local charities.

• Creation of a Community Advisory Committee

  Establish a committee consisting of representatives from the City, appropriate community and civic organizations, non-profit organizations and colleges/universities.

Development Team: The Teams Behind Texas Live!

The Cordish Companies' Texas Live!

ARLINGTON

The Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers won the American League West Division in 2015, the fourth time in the last six years that the team had advanced to postseason play. In that span (2010-15), the Rangers have won 525 regular season games, fifth most among the 30 major league teams. The franchise enters its 45th year in Arlington in 2016 since moving from Washington, D.C. after the 1971 season. After playing its games at Arlington Stadium from 1972-93, the club moved to The Ballpark in Arlington, which was built as a public-private partnership between the Rangers and the City of Arlington. Changing its name to Globe Life Park in Arlington in February 2014, the facility has hosted a pair of World Series, the 1995 All-Star Game, and more than 57 million fans in its 22-year history. Rangers Baseball Express LLC became the sixth owner in Rangers history when it completed purchase of the club on August 12, 2010. Ray C. Davis and Bob R. Simpson serve as Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the investor group.

Learn more about the team.

The Cordish Companies

The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Real Estate Development, Gaming & Hospitality, Entertainment Management and International Urban Planning & Development. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are The Cordish Companies’ prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor; Philadelphia, PA; Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. In addition, The Cordish Companies has developed and operates multiple highly acclaimed entertainment destinations throughout the United States which welcome over 50 million visitors per year and are the most visited destinations in their respective regions. Over the generatins, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created.

Lockhart Smokehouse at Texas Live!

ARLINGTON

Texas barbecue icon Lockhart Smokehouse will join recently announced Rangers Republic, Live! Arena, Arlington Backyard, Guy Fieri and Revolver Brewing in the $250 million dining, entertainment and hospitality district Texas Live! when the project opens in 2018.

“We are so excited to announce such an iconic local brand for Texas Live!,” Texas Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick said in a news release. “It’s been our goal since day one to provide our fans with the best local, regional and national brands … and Lockhart Smokehouse will be another excellent experience for our guests to enjoy.”

Lockhart Smokehouse was founded by Jeff and Jill Bergus. Jill Bergus, the granddaughter of the legendary Edgar “Smitty” Schmidt who ran Kreuz Market for more than 40 years in Lockhart, collaborated with her cousin and now owner of Kreuz Market, Keith Schmidt, to bring the iconic central Texas flavor to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.