Features
The Rubber Hits The Stage
Akron, Ohio, is getting two new concert venues thanks to East End Promotions, which is converting a famous company’s headquarters into the Goodyear Theater and Hall .
Goodyear Theatre, shown in an artist rendering, is one of two concert spaces in the East End, a 5.5 million square foot mixed use development opening in Akron, Ohio.
The development of Akron’s historic Goodyear building, called the East End, is a 5.5 million square foot mixed-use initiative. Goodyear Theater features a seated capacity of 1,458 while Goodyear Hall sports a 3,500 capacity.
The development includes apartments, office space, restaurants, retail and a Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. East End promotions is a partnership between developers and Cleveland-based Elevation Group. Among the first concerts at the Goodyear Theater are Smashing Pumpkins with Liz Phair April 29,
The first show on the calendar is the family-friendly Kidz Bop April 27. “We could not be more excited for what’s in store at the East End,” Industrial Realty Group President Stu Lichter said. IRG is one of the developer partners in East End.
“We are going to be very active in Northeastern Ohio, with a plan to stage 150-plus nights of entertainment per year in the Goodyear Theater and Hall once they are firmly established,” Lichter continued. “Our partnership with Elevation and the previously announced relationship with Rubber City Sports has the potential to bring more than 250,000 people to the area that otherwise would not be here. The positive economic impact possibilities are enormous.”
Elevation Group Managing Partner Steve Lindecke noted that IRG provided “significant” financial resources to the project, including “installation of the latest and best sound and lighting package.”
He acknowledged that “150 shows will not happen overnight” but points out the venue has already booked some heavy hitters for its first shows.
“It is our sole intention to make the Goodyear Theater and hall the two best venues to experience live music and entertainment in the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area.”