The Minnesota Vikings
“A Vibrant & Sustainable Live-Work-Play Destination”
Spanning over 200 acres, Viking Lakes represents a transformative approach to sports-anchored, mixed-use development. Designed through a strategic, district-based master plan, the project creates a thriving, year-round ecosystem that extends far beyond the traditional performance center footprint. By seamlessly integrating over two million square feet of office space, 160,000 square feet of retail, up to 1,000 residential units, and a 320-room hotel, Viking Lakes serves as a dynamic, multifaceted destination for fans and visitors. This highly integrated model not only drives immense franchise value but also functions as a powerful economic catalyst, generating significant regional impact through expanded tax bases, sustained job creation, and year-round tourism. It stands as a highly replicable model for franchises seeking to leverage real estate to maximize both community impact and organizational growth.
A cornerstone of the development’s success was our landmark public-private partnership and naming rights strategy, culminating in an alignment with local medical provider, Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO). This strategic partnership anchored a fully integrated sports medicine campus on-site, bringing an orthopedic clinic, urgent care, ambulatory surgical center, and state-of-the-art performance training directly to the campus. Complementing these clinical spaces is the 60,000-square-foot Viking Lakes Innovation Center, a commercial hub housing world-class corporate tenants. Together, these elements position Viking Lakes as a premier destination for both health and commercial innovation.
The campus’s entertainment and community engagement is anchored by TCO Stadium, a multi-use outdoor venue featuring artificial turf and a capacity of 7,500. Beyond serving as a premier community asset, the stadium is an immense economic driver. As the home of the Minnesota Vikings’ annual training camp, the venue draws tens of thousands of fans, generating millions in local economic activity (including an estimated $5.7 million in hospitality and retail revenue during the 2019 training camp alone), proving that thoughtful, sports-anchored developments can sustain massive, multifaceted revenue streams long after game day.
“The Best Facility in the NFL”
The expansive development is anchored by the TCO Performance Center, the world headquarters and daily training facility of the Minnesota Vikings. Previously heralded as “the best training facility in any sport”, the TCO Performance Center is designed to optimize every facet of the organization. Integrating front-office operations with elite team training environments, the facility is meticulously crafted to support a winning culture. The massive scale of the facility seamlessly integrates with the broader Viking Lakes campus, ensuring that every player, coach, and executive operates in an environment built for unparalleled, day-to-day success.
The architectural and programmatic design focuses heavily on performance-driven outcomes, featuring fully integrated sports medicine and clinical services just steps away from the practice fields. By co-locating the team’s elite training spaces with Twin Cities Orthopedics’ cutting-edge medical, rehabilitative, and surgical centers, the Vikings possess an unparalleled advantage in player health, recovery, and readiness. This holistic approach to physical and mental well-being creates a seamless flow between athletic training, recovery, and state-of-the-art medical care, fundamentally redefining the standard for daily NFL operations.
The tangible impact of this world-class environment is consistently validated by those who matter most: the players. The TCO Performance Center was ranked the #1 overall facility in the 2023 NFLPA team report cards and has maintained a prestigious #2 ranking from 2024 through 2026. Lauded for its top-of-the-line amenities and exceptional support structures, the headquarters serves as a powerful competitive advantage for the franchise. By offering a comprehensive, elite performance ecosystem, the Minnesota Vikings have established a premier destination that actively drives player recruitment, ensures elite retention, and fosters long-term organizational excellence.
CLIENT
The Minnesota Vikings
LOCATION
Eagan, MN
SIZE
200 Acres (Mixed-Use Development)
277,000 GSF (TCO Performance Center)
CONSTRUCTION COST
$120 Million (Phase I)
AWARDS
2018 NAIOP Award of Excellence
EXPERTISE
Master Planning/ Concept Design, Architecture, Interior Architecture, Brand Activation, Signage & Wayfinding, Stadiums & Arenas, Training Facilities, Health & Wellness, Mixed-Use, Commercial Office
Crawford did a masterful job of capturing the essence, core, and grit of Winter Park, and brought it along here. Whoever you are, you are going to feel comfortable here and feel like this is home. This is the best headquarters in all of professional sports.
Kevin Warren, Big 10 Commissioner & Former Minnesota Vikings Vice President / COO
