editor Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Press release Agreement Approved for Future Concert/Performing Arts Venue in Sugar Land Sugar Land, TX – The Sugar Land Development Corporation and Sugar Land City Council approved on Aug. 7 a Letter of Intent with ACE Sugar Land, LLC, for the development of a future concert and performing arts facility. The agreement defines the terms of a public/private partnership for a 6,500-seat concert and performing arts facility in Sugar Land. The venue’s proposed location is a 21-acre site near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard, an area that will include a larger mixed-use development within an area of Telfair identified for commercial, office and entertainment purposes. No time line has been set for completion of the project. The Letter of Intent establishes funding to begin programming and schematic design, with a focus on creating a signature facility that will be financially feasible and operationally self-sustainable. The concert/performing arts venue is expected to benefit the community by promoting economic development, creating employment opportunities and enhancing educational offerings. In 2007, a citizen-appointed Visioning Task Force identified five preferred entertainment venues it felt would fulfill the vision of developing Sugar Land as a destination location for residential, employment, retail and medical services and entertainment. The Task Force’s top three priorities included a professional minor league baseball park, an outdoor festival site and an indoor concert venue. Sugar Land voters overwhelmingly approved the proposed venues and funding in a November 2008 referendum. Constellation Field opened in April 2012, and more than 250,000 visitors have attended ballgames to date, exceeding all prior attendance projections. A 2008 Market Analysis and Feasibility Study and an updated 2012 study showed that a concert/performing arts venue in Sugar Land would promote capital investment, create new jobs, enhance educational opportunities and create unique destination activities attracting local and regional visitors. “Making Sugar Land a destination for culture and entertainment has been a long-held vision of our citizens and City Council,” said Mayor James Thompson. “We believe this will fill a much-needed gap in entertainment needs in this part of the greater Houston region and bring many more people here to enjoy the arts and all that our City offers.” In May 2011, the City approved a memorandum of understanding with ACE SL LLC, a company selected based on its operational experience and knowledge of the entertainment industry. “My partners and I are honored to be selected by the City of Sugar Land as its partner in the planning and development of this exciting project,” stated Allen Becker, chairman of ACE SL LLC. “We have been fortunate in our over 30 years in the live entertainment business to have worked in the major cities of the United States and Canada, as well as in many markets throughout the world. But nothing beats home, and we will work as hard as it takes to make this facility a success for the City of Sugar Land, and to bring the best in entertainment to this community, our community!” About ACE SL, LLC. ACE SL, LLC, brings an experienced team of locally-based entertainment industry professionals to the project, led by Allen J. Becker, TONY Award-winning founding chairman of PACE Entertainment Corporation. The ACE Executive Team also includes Brian E. Becker, Gary D. Becker, David M. Anderson, Gary A. Markowitz and Kirk B. Feldmann. Together, they offer more than 175 years of experience and success in local, national and international entertainment ventures, including pioneering the development of new music and theatrical venues, as well as the entertainment to fill them. About Sugar Land The City of Sugar Land is an award-winning community 20 miles southwest of Houston. This master-planned community has achieved its sustainable, strong local economy through a strategically focused and aggressive economic development program creating new wealth and jobs. As a regional employment center, the City is home to numerous high-profile regional and international corporations housed in more than 22 million square feet of commercial space, including Minute Maid, Schlumberger, Fluor Corporation, Bechtel EO and Aetna. Sugar Land has also uniquely positioned itself as a hub for premium shopping, dining and entertainment. Venues such as the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, the recently announced Constellation Field, as well as the future concert/performing arts center and Sugar Land Heritage Museum will further establish the community as a cultural and historical destination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Sounds like a Woodlands wanna-be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 (edited) I stopped going to concerts in the burbs because of how much of a pain it is. My guess is that this place will be as bad as the Woodlands Pavilion. Edited August 10, 2012 by brian0123 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 The good thing is all 6500 seats will be indoors. You can have the Cynthia Woods Pavilion in the middle of summer. The Woodlands Pavilion lists seating for 16,000 but over 9,600 is lawn seating. The Sugar Land one will have more actual seats. They may not attract the "festival" bands but should still attract some quality performers. Not having to drive to the Woodlands is the best part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boounce Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Not sure how anyone could argue that the Cynthia Woods Pavilion is not a huge success. So far this year it's the #3 amphitheater in The World in terms of sales. It's also safe, clean, and a cool venue to be at... even on the lawn (at night). Just don't be the moron that's too cheap to spring for a hotel and decides to drive home after saki and a few big beers. The success of the Sugar Land facility will depend on competing venues in the area with that capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I second staying over night in a hotel in the Woodlands, but that's an expensive option for many people. And yes, Cynthia Woods is a huge success, but I still say summer is to damn hot for an outdoor concert. I miss the Summit, which is now the Goditorium. Damn that Joel Osteen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 The success or failure of these venues tends to ride less on how impressive the venue is, and more on the company booking the entertainment. The music and entertainment industry is not as much a study in capitalism and the free market, as it is a study in cronyism. ACE is well known in the business, as was its predecessor, PACE. This venue should do well with those guys at the helm, just as Dynamo/BBVA Compass Stadium should get some good acts with Anschutz Entertainment owning the Dynamo. It goes without saying that Cynthia Woods Mitchell has a top notch group running their facility, since it is the best pavilion in the state. More choices for people who like to blow $100 for a couple of hours of entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboybud Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Took me 2 1/2 hours to drive from near Sugar Land to the Woodlands for KISS/Motley last weekend. Obviously the big names won't be playing Sugar Land, but maybe they can snag some shows away from Verizon (Bayou Place) and/or the Stafford Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 I second staying over night in a hotel in the Woodlands, but that's an expensive option for many people. And yes, Cynthia Woods is a huge success, but I still say summer is to damn hot for an outdoor concert. I miss the Summit, which is now the Goditorium. Damn that Joel Osteen.Damn Joel? Really? The Summit was a vacant venue that received a new lease on life instead of it falling into disrepair and a drain on the city budget (think Astrodome). If you have not been inside the ''summit'' (Lakewood Church), I encourage you to take a stroll through. It's beautiful and ensures the Summit's existance for many decades to come. Think before you speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Took me 2 1/2 hours to drive from near Sugar Land to the Woodlands for KISS/Motley last weekend. Obviously the big names won't be playing Sugar Land, but maybe they can snag some shows away from Verizon (Bayou Place) and/or the Stafford Center.If it took you 2 1/2 hours to get from Sugar Land to The Woodlands then either there was a serious accident on the southwest frwy or you drive incredibly slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Damn Joel? Really? The Summit was a vacant venue that received a new lease on life instead of it falling into disrepair and a drain on the city budget (think Astrodome). If you have not been inside the ''summit'' (Lakewood Church), I encourage you to take a stroll through. It's beautiful and ensures the Summit's existance for many decades to come. Think before you speak.It was sarcasm. It's really the City that I hate. I still think they could have put the building to better use as a performance/arts venue, but that's another argument. Sorry. I wasn't trying to upset any Osteen disciples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west20th Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Damn Joel? Really? The Summit was a vacant venue that received a new lease on life instead of it falling into disrepair and a drain on the city budget (think Astrodome). If you have not been inside the ''summit'' (Lakewood Church), I encourage you to take a stroll through. It's beautiful and ensures the Summit's existance for many decades to come. Think before you speak.It should have been sold to an entity that pays taxes. That is a huge tract of prime real estate not generating any tax revenue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Our city is just REALLY spread out. For Sugarland residents its too far to drive to the Wo0dlands, for Woodlands residents its too far to drive to Houston much less Sugarland...heck i live across from the Galleria and i dont like driving to Sugarland or The Woodlands (where i grew up) haha! Nothing is ever going to be convenient for everyone but if the act is worth it you will drive where you have to drive if you want to see them bad enough. BUT i do agree with everyone about either staying the night close to the venue if drinking (especially at all day festivals) OR have a designated driver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 It should have been sold to an entity that pays taxes. That is a huge tract of prime real estate not generating any tax revenue.And I'm sure it would have been if one had stepped up.The Dome is still waiting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west20th Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 (edited) And I'm sure it would have been if one had stepped up.The Dome is still waiting.Apples and Oranges. The Summit property could be redeveloped much easier than the dome and would have have sold in time. The dome is still waiting because the Texans and the Rodeo have to approve any plan for the dome. Edited August 14, 2012 by west20th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 And the Summit was redeveloped. By the only entity that happened to step up with any money. So it was a non-profit. Big deal. At least the Summit is not rotting like the Dome waiting for a private taxpaying white-night (or anybody).The Albert Thomas Convention Center was empty for something like 10 years before being turned into Bayou Place. Has the back half of it ever filled up or is it still empty?Greenway Plaza has not exactly been building high-rises either. The only thing built in the area in the last decade has been one or two story strip centers, car dealerships, and a couple of apartment complexes. Nothing earth-shattering, and nothing that would have generated enough return to buy the Summit from the city and tear it down. So in a nutshell, the city got a little bit of cash of front and rid themselves of a liability of who knows how many years of upkeep of a deteriorating asset. Based on the track record of re-purposing of other large public buildings in Houston in the last few years, they did OK. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Shouldn't this be in the "Sugarland and the South West" subforum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TowerSpotter Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Sugar Land Performing Art's Center will have 6,500 seats and will open in 2016 http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/sugar_land/news/agreements-approved-for-sugar-land-performing-arts-center/article_9f77dbf8-1583-11e3-a747-0019bb2963f4.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 May want to merge... http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26937-sugar-land-getting-a-concert-venue/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed_Tx Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 lookslikeitstimeforsomeonetosendoffaresume.... hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Who is this Art fella, and what does he perform? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 May want to merge... http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26937-sugar-land-getting-a-concert-venue/ Done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 (edited) http://impactnews.com/houston-metro/sugar-land--missouri-city/sugar-land-moves-forward-with-performing-arts-center/ Sugar Land City Council has selected Houston-based builder Linbeck Group as the new construction manager at risk, or CMAR, for the city’s $83.6 million Performing Arts Center. The center will be on a nearly 40-acre property in the Telfair commercial district along Hwy. 59 and University Boulevard. “In the past few months, we have made a lot of progress in getting to the 40 percent mark for the design development plans,” city engineer Chris Steubing said. “The design team continues to look at refining the details as we move forward.” Linbeck Group was awarded a $98,500 contract for pre-construction services, which includes cost estimation and budget consultation along with scheduling, planning and general coordination for the project. The company’s past projects include Reliant Stadium in Houston and the Bill and Margo Winspear Opera House in Dallas. Designs for the Performing Arts Center are underway and are expected to be completed in February or March 2014. Construction of the center is expected to break ground summer 2014 and take an estimated 639 calendar days. Edited December 27, 2013 by ChannelTwoNews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 There has been a change in the design.. http://impactnews.com/houston-metro/sugar-land--missouri-city/design-updated-for-city%27s-performing-arts-center/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 I'll say. Not nearly as sophisticated. Although it looks like it could have the same guts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) ^^ About what I expected. It is still good to see Sugar Land get something like this - just wish they hadn't changed it quite so much. Edited April 4, 2014 by arche_757 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 New Rendering 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Nothing special :/ Be nice to see some interior shots though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Groundbreaking Dec. 9th: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2014/11/06/sugar-land-performing-arts-facility-to-break.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) http://instagram.com/p/vEwOfMwy-C/ http://abc13.com/news/sugar-land-set-to-build-$74m-performance-space/383547/ Edited November 6, 2014 by Mab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 http://www.click2houston.com/news/sugar-land-ace-theatrical-group-to-break-ground-on-venue-of-the-future/30140500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Do we have a master plan for the surrounding area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=76&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDwQFjAFOEY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sterlingillustration.com%2Fprojects%2F5049679&ei=--PaVOqAL8G1yASjn4HwCw&usg=AFQjCNHSpTGPA6YZjkyxW2c97hm5XxS3Lg&sig2=N4HY5UsBg7lNIRFKXFsE0Q&bvm=bv.85761416,d.aWw 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placoors Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 The Sugar Land Performing Arts Center will now be known as the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/02/18/sugar-land-performance-venue-under-construction.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2015-02-18&u=sEGD+NmMXoSSl74m8zHnnHECIl6&t=1424541399 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 The Sugar Land Performing Arts Center will now be known as the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/02/18/sugar-land-performance-venue-under-construction.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2015-02-18&u=sEGD+NmMXoSSl74m8zHnnHECIl6&t=1424541399 This is so silly. I wish they could just go with a real name and then simply add "Sponsored by: Smart Financial Centre". I mean what is this a sports stadium? Hell it doesn't make any sense there too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 This is so silly. I wish they could just go with a real name and then simply add "Sponsored by: Smart Financial Centre". I mean what is this a sports stadium? Hell it doesn't make any sense there too! I agree. Not very classy. Should have named it the Sugar Land Tax Payers Centre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Too bad better thought wasn't given to *what* was going to be built on the other side of that nifty little park?! Maybe some residential apartments or townhomes (or both) would have helped to give the place more of 24/7 look? I guess in time there's the possibility it may "fill out"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 It's not "smart" to name a performing art center a financial centre. And, spelling Centre that way makes it super duper annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 It's not "smart" to name a performing art center a financial centre. And, spelling Centre that way makes it super duper annoying. Yeah even though I like City Centre....I still hate that Centre is spelled that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Who wants to tell Culture Map that that's traditional for most all buidlings no matter the time of year? http://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/12-02-15-new-84-million-sugar-land-performance-arena-tops-out-in-a-holiday-way/ The topping off ceremony for the Smart Financial Centre at Suglar Land included a Christmas tree 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 https://www.bisnow.com/archives/newsletter/local-real-estate/houston/6821-sugar-land-performance-venue-7-years-down-1-to-go/ Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land's highly anticipated performance venue, topped out yesterday. Construction has flown quickly—it broke ground last December—but it's been a long process for the team. ACE Theatrical Group exec Gary Becker (general manager of the new $84M venue and son of Houston mega-promoter Allen Becker from Pace Entertainment) says Sugar Land voters approved the funding in December 2008. Seven years into the project, he says the team (ACE, Linbeck and Martinez + Johnson Architecture) has started to feel like a family. (You had enough family time after one quarter of the Cowboys' Thanksgiving game; imagine seven straight years together.) We snapped Linbeck project manager Tommy Cole with Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson at yesterday's Smart Financial Centre topping out ceremony. Mayor Thompson isn't fazed by the large "family" involved in the project. "We have a unique team, and we gathered everyone early on. The project will be the same model used at the ballpark [Constellation Field]." Like the ballpark, Smart Financial Centre will also be a public/private partnership; ACE is a $10M equity partner. Smart Financial Credit Union paid $6.7M for the naming rights. The development is just one piece in a huge urbanization happening in Sugar Land. Work has been proceeding on development across the city as part of its comprehensive plan and Vision 2025, adopted in 2009. The performance venue is in the heart of prime Sugar Land real estate, on the northeast corner of Highway 59 and University Boulevard. It will be the crown jewel among a series of massive new developments, including the offices for Fluor and Texas Instruments, as well as the contested mixed-use development from Newland Communities. Courtesy of ACE Theatrical Group The Smart Financial Centre is projected to attract 260,000 paid attendees annually, with an estimated return of $572M over the next 30 years. The venue will host musical and comedy acts, theater productions and cultural/performing arts. Completion is scheduled for fall 2016. Rendered here is the main entry plaza. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placoors Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Construction photo from this afternoon. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboybud Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Opening night is January 14, with a performance by Jerry Seinfeld. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 When I was there a few days ago, it looked like they were finishing up putting the letters for the sign on the structure itself, and were starting to build a fairly tall sign along the feeder. Saw it had a rendering in front, but didn't get a chance to see how the buildout would appear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboybud Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 (edited) You can see it in the distance driving south on the Hwy 6 overpass over Hwy. 90. A couple more shows have been announced: Don Henley in January, and Steve Martin/Martin Short in April. Edited September 6, 2016 by cowboybud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placoors Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Tour and new pictures from the Chron. I'm excited this is opening in less than a month: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/First-Look-The-new-Smart-Financial-Centre-10796222.php 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 22 hours ago, placoors said: Tour and new pictures from the Chron. I'm excited this is opening in less than a month: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/First-Look-The-new-Smart-Financial-Centre-10796222.php Me too. Already have tickets for two events. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Land Art Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Seinfeld is going to be there... awesome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placoors Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 An open house is being held on Saturday January 7, 2017 from Noon-4 PM...unfortunately I will not be able to make it out. http://smartfinancialcentre.net/event/open-house 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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