LiveNation to open live music venue at former Chapters building

The National Capital Commission has confirmed it signed an offer to lease the former Chapters building on Rideau Street to LiveNation to create a live music and entertainment venue in the downtown core.

The National Capital Commission has confirmed it signed an offer to lease the former Chapters building on Rideau Street to LiveNation to create a live music and entertainment venue in the downtown core.

In a news release on Wednesday, the NCC said the venue is expected to be open in late 2025, after necessary renovations are made to the building.

The property located a 47-57 Rideau Street offers 3,805 square-metres of space above ground and 2,230 square-metres of basement space. In an email, LiveNation confirmed the expected capacity for the venue will be 2,000 people.

"The NCC is pleased to play a positive role in the collective efforts of local partners to revitalize the downtown core of the Capital post-COVID," said the NCC's CEO Tobi Nussbaum in the news release.

"This new state-of-the-art live music and entertainment venue in the heart of downtown will be a great destination for residents and visitors, contribute to increased economic activity for local restaurants and shops, and generate vibrancy and excitement for the National Capital Region as a whole."

LiveNation claims to be the "largest live entertainment company in the world," according to its 2022 annual report. It owns, operates or has exclusive booking rights to 338 music venues worldwide.

The NCC purchased the centrally-located building that was once occupied by Chapters in January for a sale price of $20 million, sources told CTV News. The building is considered to be part of the National Interest Land Mass (NILM) due to its prominent location along Confederation Boulevard and its proximity to many Ottawa landmarks.