Populous-Designed Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center Wins Top Honors in International Design Awards

The state-of-the-art facility secured first place in the Sports & Recreation category and was named runner-up in the Health and Wellness category.

“The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center project has been an incredible opportunity to rethink how we design for the athlete of the future and provide a home for elevated performance,” said Jonathan Mallie, Senior Principal and Global Director, Populous.“Using the Cavaliers’ core tenets of heart, mind and motion to create a space for professional athletes and the community alike, the performance center will raise the bar for health and wellness in Cleveland.”

Situated on the banks of the Cuyahoga River in downtown Cleveland, the more than 210,000 sq ft facility is slated to be one of the world’s largest training facilities and aims to be a global sports science and wellness destination. It will also serve as the cornerstone of Bedrock Real Estate’s $3.5 billion development, The Riverfront.

“From the outset of this project, our vision for the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center was to create a training facility that resided at the forefront of innovation, technology and world-class architecture,” said Koby Altman, Cleveland Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations. “The design planning for this iconic global destination represents a huge investment towards our future, and this recognition is both humbling and gratifying. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that this project runs parallel with the commitment we’ve made in providing our players with a sustainable hub of resources that will help strengthen the lifespan of their careers, while uniquely engaging into Cleveland’s industrial past nestled on our historic riverfront.”

Rethinking the Future’s Global Architecture & Design Awards aim to highlight innovative strategies employed by architects and designers in addressing contemporary global challenges. By recognizing exceptional projects like the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, the awards inspire the next generation of design professionals. The Performance Center’s unique features and collaborative design process, involving Populous, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bedrock and the Cleveland Clinic, have set a new standard for sports and wellness facilities. This recognition further solidifies Cleveland’s position as a destination for elite and everyday athletes from around the world.

The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center broke ground in October 2024 and is scheduled to open in 2027.