LN Unveils Bay Area Remodels

Live Nation Northern California is rolling out two major renovation projects to venues in the Bay Area: a multimillion upgrade at Concord Pavilion and the long-awaited revamp of The Masonic, formerly known as the Masonic Auditorium, in San Francisco.

The Masonic is to reopen in September as strictly an entertainment venue, after years of wrangling with neighbors in the Nob Hill district. A final agreement has been hammered out between the building’s owner, the California Masonic Memorial Temple; booker and manager Live Nation; and neighborhood advocates the Nob Hill Coalition and Nob Hill Association, allowing the expansion to finally begin.

The agreement allows for a maximum of 54 concerts a year and two bars (unless attendance reaches more than 3,000). Events must end no later than 11 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 p.m. on weekends, though LN can request that three events per year be extended until 1 a.m., according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Seats will be removed from the auditorium floor to increase capacity from 3,166 to 3,300. Other improvements include a new stage, draping, carpeting and flooring, VIP boxes, and light and art installations.

“We are thrilled that this project, through incredible collaboration with the city of San Francisco, Nob Hill neighborhood, Masons and Live Nation, is nearing completion,” Live Nation Northern California President Jodi Goodman told the paper.

The revamped Masonic will debut in early September with a special guest artist to be announced. Concerts are already on sale for fall including Old Crow Medicine Show, Train, Pixies, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Broken Bells, and The Masonic.

Across the bay and over the Berkeley Hills in Concord, the final touches were made to the Concord Pavilion in time for its season opener May 25.

Renovations included enhancing the original Frank Gehry design, adding new lighting, signage and art installations, restroom renovations, extra seating, new concessions and stands, and an optional, larger-capacity GA floor for specific shows.

The pavilion’s acoustic baffling has been replaced, and full dressing room and shower renovations include new furniture, fixtures and flooring.

The existing backstage catering area has also been designed to include a new grass patio as well as an indoor, air-conditioned dining room, according to Live Nation.

“Live Nation is extremely excited about the upcoming capital improvements and incredible season ahead,” LN Northern California COO Matt Prieshoff said. “We can’t wait for the artists and fans who’ve visited the venue before to see the refreshing changes and improvements we’ve made.”