If you own commercial or investment property in Frederick, Maryland, the next few years are going to look very different from the last few. Two major forces — one on the east side of the city, one on the west — are reshaping demand, traffic patterns, and property values across the region. Whether you’re planning to sell, lease, or simply want to understand what’s happening around you, here’s what you need to know.

East Side: Frederick Brickworks Breaks Ground

After more than two years of planning and approvals, Baltimore-based developer Greenberg Gibbons officially broke ground on Frederick Brickworks in mid-July 2026, transforming the historic site of the former Frederick Brick Works factory — which operated from 1891 until its relocation in 2007 — into one of the largest mixed-use developments the city has seen in decades.

The numbers are significant. Frederick Brickworks spans 65 acres along South and East streets and represents a project cost of more than $450 million. At full build-out, the development calls for up to 1,260 residential units and 130,000 square feet of commercial space. The first phase alone — targeted for completion in 2028 — includes 332 rental apartments and 320 for-sale townhomes built by Wormald, NVR, and Bowen & Kron Enterprises.

The anchor tenant is the headline: Whole Foods Market has officially confirmed it will open at Brickworks, ending more than a year of speculation. Joining Whole Foods on the retail and dining roster are honeygrow, First Watch, Shake Shack, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Inspire Nail Bar, and a boutique fitness studio, with more tenants expected to be announced.

The economic projections behind the project are just as notable. Greenberg Gibbons and city officials estimate Brickworks will support approximately 5,600 jobs — including 1,300 permanent positions — and generate an estimated $181 million in annual business sales, $52 million in annual employee compensation, and $7.6 million in annual tax revenue once complete.

For property owners, this isn’t just news — it’s a signal. A project of this scale brings thousands of new residents, a national grocery anchor, and a wave of consumer traffic to Frederick’s east side. Historically, developments like this reset the value baseline for everything nearby: retail pads, flex space, multifamily, and even office product in the surrounding corridor. Owners who understand where their asset sits relative to Brickworks — and price accordingly — will be in a far stronger position than those who wait until the project is fully leased up to ask the question.

West Side: The Golden Mile Gets Its First Plan Update in Over a Decade

While Brickworks is grabbing headlines, a quieter but equally important shift is underway on the other end of the city. The Golden Mile — the Route 40 West corridor that carries nearly 50,000 vehicles a day and accounts for roughly 30% of Frederick’s commercially zoned land — is undergoing its first comprehensive plan update since the original Golden Mile Small Area Plan was adopted in 2013.

In early August 2026, the City of Frederick launched FOCUS Frederick, a new two-part planning process for the corridor. The first step, the Golden Mile Small Area Profile, lays out existing conditions across the corridor. The second step invites public input through a community survey, open through September 18, 2026, along with opportunities to join a steering committee shaping the plan’s direction. As Golden Mile Alliance Executive Director Robert Vans Rens put it, the corridor is “starting to see significant reinvestment and redevelopment” — and the timing of the plan update reflects that momentum, not the other way around.

That reinvestment is already visible. Floor & Decor is preparing to move into the former JOANN Fabric space, with a proposed 7,850-square-foot expansion signaling real capital commitment to the corridor. Edge Express Car Wash is bringing a modern facility to West Patrick Street. And a state-and-city funded multimodal lane project — adding a dedicated bus lane and shared-use path between Baughman’s Lane and Waverly Drive — is in final design, with construction expected to run through 2029.

For owners along the Golden Mile, this is a pivotal window. Small area plans directly shape zoning, density allowances, and incentive programs — which means the decisions made over the next year will influence what’s possible on Golden Mile parcels for the next decade. Owners who engage early, understand the direction of the plan, and position their property accordingly stand to benefit most from the corridor’s next chapter.

What This Means If You Own Property in Frederick

Two corridors, two very different stories — but the same underlying message: Frederick is entering a period of real, measurable change. Brickworks is bringing rooftops, a grocery anchor, and national retail demand to the east side. The Golden Mile is being reimagined from a policy and infrastructure standpoint on the west side. Both will influence how buyers, tenants, and appraisers view property across the city over the next several years.

The owners who benefit most from shifts like this are rarely the ones who wait for the news to fully play out. They’re the ones who get a current, accurate read on their asset’s value now — before the market fully prices in what’s coming — and make decisions from a position of information rather than reaction.

If you own property in Frederick and want to understand how these developments affect your specific asset, VCRE is happy to provide a straightforward market read — no obligation, no sales pitch. Reach out to start the conversation.