MGM Music Hall (née Fenway Theater) | 12 Lansdowne St | Fenway

For those wondering why another venue right next to House of Blues, remember that holds only 2,500 and it's almost all GA standing.

Boston has a hole in its venue sizes right now for concerts... Many artists are too big for HOB, but not big enough to sell an arena. Hence, this venue fits the bill.

- Brighton Music Hall (250ish)
- Sinclair (500ish)
- Paradise (900ish)
- House of Blues (2,500)
- Orpheum (2,700)
- Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Seaport (5,200 - but limited to only 4 months a year)
- TD Garden (16,000ish)
- Xfinity Center (19,900)
- Gillette Stadium (50,000ish)
 
The more I think about it, the more sense this site makes for this use. Given its precise location (specific to the exact parcel, not the general neighborhood) and the fact that the owner is never going to build high (given their property next door), this would be a really awkward spot for residential or office. Lab is never going to happen. Hotel could work, but even that would be tough (automobile access is pretty much cut off 100 days a year).

Just about all the neighbors (with the exception of the elephant in the room) are already nightclubs / restaurants / bars / music venues. There's also garages and a visual and performing arts school, which aren't going to care about noise after hours and would likely appreciate another venue next door. And as cjbski points out, Boston doesn't really have a venue sized between the HoB and Garden that is open outside of the summer.

A music venue of this size here has a low opportunity cost (i.e., there's no clear better alternative use), a bunch neighbors that will complement it, few (if any) neighbors that will oppose it, few direct competitors anywhere in the City, and infrastructure that has a lot of spare capacity about 250 days/year. Seems like a no-brainer.

I had brunch on the patio at Loretta's a few weekends ago and was struck by how, well, shitty the lot across the street was. This will change that.

Also, TV trucks can move to the lot at Van Ness and Ipswich (behind Guitar Center / CVS). I expect any parking that is lost in the "laundry building's" garage to be moved below-grade.
 
Good list; I added a couple...

cjbski said:
Boston has a hole in its venue sizes right now for concerts...

- Brighton Music Hall (250ish)
- Sinclair (500ish)
- Paradise (900ish)
- House of Blues (2,500)
- Orpheum (2,700)
- Wang Theatre (3,500)
- Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Seaport (5,200 - but limited to only 4 months a year)
- Agganis Arena (7,200)
- TD Garden (16,000ish)
- Xfinity Center (19,900)
- Gillette Stadium (50,000ish)
Click to expand...
 
They can also get double duty out of their concesions and facilities would in the new building.
 
Another venue to add to the list: City Winery - 300 person capacity.
 
Add to the list:
Royale
Once
The Plough and Stars
The Middle East - while it's still here
The Burren
TOAD
Lizard Lounge


On a side note, what - if any - plans are there to redevelop the Ipswich Street Garage? That thing has seen much better days. My lord.
 
sonia, sally o'brien's, midway cafe, obriens, great scott.

also: mideast ain't goin anywhere.
 
Updated list - skipping the sub-250 capacity venues:

- Brighton Music Hall (250ish)
- City Winery (300ish)
- Sinclair (500ish)
- Middle East Downstairs (575)
- Paradise (900ish)
- Royale (1000ish)
- House of Blues (2,500)
- Orpheum (2,700)
- Wang Theatre (3,500)
- Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Seaport (5,200 - but limited to only 4 months a year)
- Agganis Arena (7,200)
- TD Garden (16,000ish)
- Xfinity Center (19,900)
- Gillette Stadium (50,000ish)
 
If you include Xfinity Center and Gillette Stadium, then the Worcester Palladium, DCu Center, and arena in Lowell should be counted as well.

And of course, Fenway Park and the Hatch Shell
 
cjbski said:
Updated list - skipping the sub-250 capacity venues:

- Brighton Music Hall (250ish)
- City Winery (300ish)
- Sinclair (500ish)
- Middle East Downstairs (575)
- Paradise (900ish)
- Royale (1000ish)
- House of Blues (2,500)
- Orpheum (2,700)
- Wang Theatre (3,500)
- Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Seaport (5,200 - but limited to only 4 months a year)
- Agganis Arena (7,200)
- TD Garden (19,580*)
- Xfinity Center (19,900)
- Gillette Stadium (50,000ish)
Click to expand...

If you're throwing Agganis Arena on there, you may as well include these ones that host concerts:
- Blackman Auditorium, NU (992)
- Jordan Hall, NEC (1,051)
- Cutler Majestic, Emerson (1,200)
- Boston Symphony Hall (2,500)
- Matthews Arena, NU (~5,000)
- Hatch Memorial Shell (10,000)
- Fenway Park (40,000+)
 
Don't forget the Wilbur (capacity 1,200) which also has many concerts.
 
Apropos of nothing, my ladyfriend and I saw Grant Lee Philips and Josh Rouse at City Winery last night. What a strange venue...

The sound was iffy, and the engineering was (to be polite) amateurish. The vibe is very suburban/Caucasian. The venue has all the personality and character of a high-end business hotel meeting room.

I'm glad we went, but sad that the gig wasn't at the Sinclair or the Middle East.

For a place that's across the street from the North End, I'd have to go to Mars to feel further away from Boston.
 
This is great news and Im all for it. What Boston really needs, though, is more smaller venues... places between the size of Toad and the Middle East... and just more places where you can walk in and see live music. The absence of random live music spots in Boston is one of the deep aspects that sets it apart from the true greats of American cities, where you can stroll down the street and happen upon music, rather than having to seek it out as 'a thing'.
 
i was at a tea room off Hollywood and Vine a few weeks ago.

Most impressive no make that hysterical live comedy i ever witnessed.
 
FK4 said:
This is great news and Im all for it. What Boston really needs, though, is more smaller venues... places between the size of Toad and the Middle East... and just more places where you can walk in and see live music. The absence of random live music spots in Boston is one of the deep aspects that sets it apart from the true greats of American cities, where you can stroll down the street and happen upon music, rather than having to seek it out as 'a thing'.
Click to expand...

I like the cut of your jib. Couldn't agree more. You could probably count on one hand the number of places in Boston where you can just pop in and see live music either for little/no cover and certainly no advance tickets needed. Not saying we need to be Austin but we definitely need more smaller venues in addition to a couple more mid/larger ones like this proposal next to Fenway.
 
This is pretty big. Add in the house of blues and this is a nice little nook of the city for live shows. The neighborhood has already had 100+ years to figure out how to handle events literally at this address so 5,000 seats is nothing. Skyscrapers are cool and all and odu saying 700ft! was funny but in all seriousness this is going to be a great addition to the night life and a pretty sweet location.

The person calling for a HOF I agree 100% I hope they can find a spot in close proximity, that would be one of the best ones in American baseball. Its weird there isnt one here yet. This parcel seems huge, so probably better suited for this, but Im sure they can find a spot. This looks to be 3 floors maybe the top floor could have worked w/o the patio?

 
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