Live Nation to open new venue in Portland’s Lloyd Center
Live Nation Entertainment has announced details of a new mid-size venue coming to Portland’s Lloyd Center. The move is the next step in a multi-million dollar renovation of the shopping mall, which so far has included a new food court and a revamp of its historic ice rink.
The new venue will add to Live Nation’s already extensive portfolio, which includes the Fillmore and House of Blues clubs across the US. Concertgoers in Portland can expect state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology inside the venue, whilst the surrounding spaces will see the creation of communal bars and lounge areas. A box office will be located on the first floor of the mall.
“This mid-size venue will fill the gap between the smaller-club venues and larger arenas already present in Portland, bringing fans even more entertainment offerings,” explains Liam Thornton, executive vice president of development of Live Nation’s Clubs and Theatres.
“This is the first step in Lloyd Center’s evolution to become a true lifestyle entertainment centre”
“The mall’s central location and convenient access to extensive transportation options will only elevate the concertgoer’s experience.”
The Live Nation deal is part of phase two of the renovation project, which aims to see the 1.2 million-square-foot Lloyd Center transformed into a leisure destination in its own right, with offerings for guests of all ages. “This is the first step in Lloyd Center’s evolution to become a true lifestyle entertainment centre,” says Bob Dye, general manager of the Lloyd Center.
“Our restaurants and retailers are thrilled about the thousands of concertgoers who will walk by their stores every day.”
As well as a venue on its top floor, the Lloyd Center is also in talks with additional family-friendly entertainment companies, restaurants and bars, in the hope of creating an entire entertainment wing in the mall.
Work on the new venue will begin in the coming months.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
Live Nation adds Cleveland’s Masonic Auditorium
The Masonic Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio, has become part of Live Nation’s Club & Theatre division.
The 2,000-capacity venue, located in Cleveland’s former Masonic Temple – purchased from local freemasons by new owner TempleLive last year, and recently renovated –is Live Nation’s latest in north-eastern Ohio, joining House of Blues, Jacobs Pavilion and Blossom Music Center. Rival promoter AEG Presents took over its first venue in Cleveland, the 2,000-cap. Agora, last July.
“The Masonic was the next logical move for us in Cleveland. It is a vibrant music market with a very large population base that we think is under-served at the theatre level,” says Ben Weeden, COO of Live Nation Club & Theatre. “We look forward to establishing the Masonic as the must-play, 2,000-capacity venue in Cleveland.”
“The Masonic was the next logical move for us in Cleveland”
“We are proud to have The Masonic Auditorium as part of Live Nation’s portfolio of properties,” adds Mike Brown of TempleLive, which is backed by Arkansas-based Beaty Capital Group. “This agreement with Live Nation will enhance the concertgoers’ experience at the Masonic, while propelling Cleveland more aggressively into this very competitive music market.
Built in 1921, the Masonic Temple Auditorium originally housed the Cleveland Orchestra. Recent performers include MGMT, Bastille, the 1975, Pixies, Joe Rogan and Leon Bridges.
Live Nation Club & Theatre produces more than 15,000 events in 100+ venues US-wide, including House of Blues- and Fillmore-branded clubs.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.