A new outdoor music venue is planned for Downtown Cleveland, as a part of Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group’s Cuyahoga River development.
The organizations announced plans for a 6,200-seat amphitheatre to be operated by Live Nation, as a part of the ongoing 35-acre “The Riverfront” development. The space is located next to the Cavaliers’ Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, which is expected to be in operation next year.
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“This outdoor amphitheater on the Cuyahoga River will be a dynamic community gathering place and a strategic investment in Downtown Cleveland’s growing experience-driven economy,” said Rock Entertainment Group CEO Nic Barlage in a news release. “In partnership with global powerhouse Live Nation, we will deliver a new premier venue that draws visitors, vitality and economic development to the urban core and continues our transformation of the riverfront into an active, energized destination.”
Bedrock estimates that the venue will generate $59 million in economic impact annually, and stated in a news release that it “will fill a void in the market and reinforce the city’s position as a music capital of the world.”
The venue will be located less than one mile away from the 5,000-capacity outdoor venue Jacobs Pavilion, which is also based on the Cuyahoga River, and which Live Nation ran for decades before competitor AEG Presents began operating the venue in 2022.
“A new outdoor music venue along the Cuyahoga riverfront reflects the type of resident and visitor experience that we want here in Downtown Cleveland. The amphitheater will add a vibrant destination for entertainment and culture, helping to strengthen Downtown, drive economic impact and advance our shore-to-core-to-shore strategy,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb in a release. “Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group have delivered significant projects to our city, most recently with the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center and Cosm Cleveland, and I look forward to seeing this next project come to life.”
Bedrock has selected DLR Group to design the amphitheater. Live Nation’s Blueprint Studio will also provide input.
The new venue announcement follows a string of venue openings in the city in recent years, including Globe Iron, Treelawn, Welcome to the Farm and more.
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“Cleveland has always been one of America’s great music cities, and this amphitheater is about raising the bar to match that legacy,” said Live Nation Ohio market president Michael Belkin in a release. “By creating a modern, leading outdoor venue on the riverfront, we’re giving artists another reason to play Cleveland, giving fans more of the shows they want close to home. This investment not only honors the city’s rock ‘n’ roll roots, it positions Cleveland to compete with other regional markets for the biggest tours in the country.”
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