Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Live Nation on board to run N. Broad's 'Met' as concert venue

Entertainment company Live Nation is apparently nearing a deal to operate North Broad Street's historic Metropolitan Opera House as a concert venue after its renovation by developer Eric Blumenfeld's EB Realty Management Corp.

The illuminated 1930s-style signs identifying the venue as "The Met" were part of EB Realty's plan to secure the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based concert operator as a tenant for the 4,000-person capacity theater, Blumenfeld told the Philadelphia Historical Commission's architectural committee Tuesday in remarks reported by real estate blog Curbed Philly.

"Right now, our focus is on making Live Nation happy," Blumenfeld told commission members, according to Curbed.

Blumenfeld said in an interview with the Inquirer after the hearing that he was in advanced talks with a prospective tenant for the theater at 858 N. Broad Street, but declined to elaborate, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Live Nation did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The company's regional venues already include the Fillmore Philadelphia in Fishtown, the Theatre of Living Arts on South Street, and Upper Darby's Tower Theater.

Blumenfeld has said he plans a $35 million renovation of the Metropolitan Opera House, in which he holds a partial-ownership stake, into a theater for concerts and other performances.