Exclusive: S.F. record label proposes rooftop concert venue at new downtown HQ
Empire is proposing a new rooftop concert venue on the historic One Montgomery building that is also the company's new headquarters. Empire bought the property in January for $22.5 million and hopes to enliven the former bank building.
An application was filed Monday to the Planning Department, calling for a new venue operated by the Main Post, a real estate platform. Empire hopes to host artist showcases, public and private concerts and industry panels.
Empire founder Ghazi Shami, a San Francisco native, called it a new vision for the area that could help revive downtown.
'Empire has always been rooted in San Francisco, and we're proud to build our permanent headquarters in the heart of the Financial District, establishing a vibrant, world-class destination for artists and the community at large,' he said in a statement. 'Our vision
has always been about more than just the music (— we create culture and cultivate community. By restoring a historic building for our new headquarters, we'll be able to further achieve our mission of supporting and empowering artists while offering incredible community-driven events.'
The rooftop plans are the latest sign of investment and energy in downtown, which is still grappling with an over 30% office vacancy rate. Nearby, One Sansome St. has a new restaurant called Holbrook House that opened in 2023. The Transamerica Pyramid also received an extensive renovation that included an exclusive bar on the top floor and a public sculpture garden at ground level. And Hines is seeking to build a 1,225-foot office tower at 77 Beale St. that would be the city's tallest building.
Outdoor concerts and parties have also become a more common occurrence in San Francisco, with a host of events including regular DJ sets and parties on Third Street, Mint Plaza and Front Street. Chinatown and Valencia Street have been home to night markets.
The One Montgomery property, at the corner of Post Street, had been vacant since 2019, when Wells Fargo left the property. The rooftop was previously open to the public before the pandemic. Real estate investors Redco Development and AEW Capital previously bought the building for $82 million near the peak of the market in 2019 — nearly four times what Empire paid this year.
Empire has been active all over the city. Empire artist Shaboozy, known for his hit 'A Bar Song (Tipsy),' is playing a free Civic Center concert on Sept. 13 that's expected to draw 15,000 attendees. The label has also collaborated with the Asian Art Museum; celebrated 415 Day; and hosted a party on the Embarcadero.
The label plans to work with local San Francisco-based artists, construction unions and businesses on the project.
'When government provides safe and clean streets, we empower entrepreneurs to put their creativity to work for San Francisco. And Ghazi's vision for a brand new event venue and office at One Montgomery, backed by real investment and years of unshakeable commitment to San Francisco, is exactly the kind of forward thinking that will take our city to new heights,' Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement.
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