FPC Live will break ground on Milwaukee music venue in the spring

Madison-based FPC Live announced it will break ground for a 4,500-person venue in Milwaukee’s Deer District in April. City officials approved the project more than a year ago, but the owner returned to the drawing board with a smaller venue when construction costs rose.

In November, the Common Council unanimously approved plans for the venue at 1051 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave. FPC Live, an affiliate of Live Nation, originally had plans for two separate venues for $50 million but amended to make one instead. Promoters said the original project was hit by rising construction costs and interest rates; the amended project will cost around $60 million.

Now, the promoter is on a timeline to break ground in April and launch full construction in May, a spokesperson said. Previously, officials said construction will take place on an 18-month timeline and wrap up in 2025.

Miron Construction is the general contractor for the project. The company recently submitted requests to construct the foundation and footings for $33.9 million, according to an application.

The parcel area is around 252,666 square feet and crews will build a three-story building, city records showed. The project work area will be around 83,750 square feet.

Planners also estimated HVAC installation costs of $5.51 million, according to the application.

Revised plans included 12,000 square feet of retail space for a parcel south of the music venue.

In August 2023, the promoter unveiled plans for the 4,500-person live performance center next to the Fiserv Forum. Citing construction costs, officials said the new plans would replace old plans for a separate 4,000 and 800-person venue. The project is on the former Bradley Center site.

In 2022, FPC Live entered a project labor agreement with Miron Construction, JCP Construction, the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council and the Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization.