 The Van Buren as seen from Van Buren St. in 2019. | |
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| Address | 401 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85003 |
|---|---|
| Location | Metro Phoenix |
| Coordinates | 33°27′04″N112°04′46″W / 33.45106°N 112.07943°W |
| Owner | Live Nation Entertainment [1] |
| Capacity | 1,800 [2] |
| Opened | August 23, 2017 |
| Website | |
| Venue website | |
The Van Buren is a music venue located in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The venue sits on the southwest corner of Van Buren St. and 4th Ave. [1]
The building was originally built in 1929 and home to the Phoenix Motor Co. The building was designed by Lescher and Mahoney, the same firm that created Phoenix's Orpheum Theatre. [3]
Pat Cantelme and his business partner Jim Kuykendall bought the building for $2.2 million in 2015. At the time, almost all of the building doors and windows had been boarded and plastered over, making it hard to seen the potential of the structure. Cantelme and Kuykendall approached Charlie Levy, owner of other local Phoenix venues The Crescent Ballroom and Valley Bar, about the purchase of the building and a possible partnership. [2] [4] After rediscovering the original storefront, doors, and windows, the group of partners received a $250,000 grant to help restore the building to its original design. [3] [5]
The Van Buren officially opened its doors in August 2017, boasting enough space to fit 1,700 to 1,900 concertgoers. [4] In December 2018, the venue was added to the National Register of Historic Places. [3] [6]
In April 2021, Live Nation Entertainment took over control and ownership of The Van Buren. The group had had a partial stake in the venue prior, and bought out majority owner Charlie Levy after financial struggles due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic that shutdown much of the music industry and touring. [1] [7]
A Jaywave/Cold War Kids was the first official show to be played at the venue on August 23, 2017. Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra performed the night before for the venue's soft opening, acting as a stress test for employees. [3] [8] Phoenix Afrobest Orchestra was also the first show for the venue after its fifteen-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]
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