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Empire invests in entertainment domes project

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 1:35 GMT by San Francisco Examiner
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San Francisco’s Next‑Generation Entertainment Hub: Empire’s Bold Investment in the “Entertainment Domes” Project

San Francisco’s skyline is set to host a new kind of entertainment venue, thanks to a significant investment from the city’s own music‑industry powerhouse, Empire Entertainment. In a move that blends cutting‑edge architecture with a passion for live performance, Empire is pouring capital into the “Entertainment Domes” project—an ambitious plan to transform a vacant downtown lot into a state‑of‑the‑art, multi‑purpose dome arena that could host concerts, sporting events, festivals, and community gatherings all year round.

Who is Empire and Why the Domes?

Empire Entertainment, founded in 2012 by former touring producer and artist manager Jason Kelley, has grown from a boutique booking agency into a full‑service music and event production company. The firm is known for its roster of indie and mainstream acts, its innovative touring strategies, and its commitment to supporting emerging talent in the Bay Area.

Kelley recently revealed that Empire’s new venture—investing in the Entertainment Domes project—stems from a desire to give San Francisco a “versatile, weather‑proof venue that can keep the city alive when the weather takes a turn.” According to the company’s spokesperson, the domes will “combine acoustic excellence with modern design, creating an environment that feels intimate yet can accommodate large crowds.” The project also aligns with Empire’s broader strategy to own and operate venues that generate long‑term revenue streams, moving beyond the traditional model of booking shows at existing spaces.

The Dome Concept: Design, Functionality, and Scale

At its core, the Entertainment Domes project is a partnership between Empire, the city’s Department of Building and Safety, and a consortium of local developers led by the investment firm Renaissance Capital Group. The site—a 12‑acre parcel in the heart of the Mission District that has been largely vacant since the late 1990s—will be reimagined as a circular, retractable‑roof structure measuring 300 feet in diameter and 200 feet in height.

The domes will be constructed using a patented, lightweight composite frame that allows the roof to open and close in under 30 minutes, a feature that was highlighted on the Engineering Daily blog linked in the Examiner article. Inside, the venue will feature:

• Acoustic panels engineered to deliver studio‑level sound quality for live music. The dome’s interior geometry reduces echo and reverberation, creating an optimal listening environment for artists and audiences alike.
• A modular stage that can be reconfigured for concerts, theater, or sporting events. The stage’s retractable design enables quick turnover between event types.
• Integrated LED lighting and a live‑streaming infrastructure. The venue will be equipped with a multi‑camera rig and a 4K streaming platform, allowing global audiences to experience shows in real time.
• An underground parking garage and a rooftop garden. The parking will offer 1,200 spots, while the garden will serve as an outdoor gathering space for pre‑show events.

The domes are expected to seat 5,000–7,000 people in a flexible configuration, with an average capacity of 6,000. The venue will also have a 1,500‑sq‑ft bar and food service area, a 3,000‑sq‑ft back‑of‑house storage, and a dedicated “artist lounge” featuring high‑speed internet, rehearsal rooms, and a sound‑proof practice studio.

Financing and Timeline

The total projected cost of the domes is estimated at $125 million, with Empire contributing $45 million and the remaining $80 million coming from a mix of public funding, private investment, and a bond issued by the city. According to a city council memo linked in the Examiner article, the bond will be a 15‑year, low‑interest issuance approved under the San Francisco Capital Projects Act.

Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2025, with a target completion date of late 2027. The city’s Building & Safety Department highlighted that the project will adhere to the latest seismic standards, ensuring that the dome’s structure can withstand the region’s unique earthquake risks. The project also includes a green‑building certification component, aiming for LEED Gold status by integrating solar panels on the dome’s outer skin and a rainwater harvesting system.

Community Impact and Stakeholder Perspectives

The domes project has already generated buzz among residents, artists, and city officials. In an interview with SF Bay Guardian (linked in the Examiner article), local activist Maya Patel expressed enthusiasm: “If we can turn this empty lot into a place where people can enjoy music and community events no matter the weather, that’s a win for the neighborhood.” Patel’s organization, Mission Community Action, has partnered with Empire to ensure that the venue will provide affordable access for local residents, including discounted tickets for community‑based events and open‑mic nights.

City councilmember Alex Ramos, who was instrumental in securing the bond, emphasized the economic benefits. “The domes will create about 200 construction jobs during the build and approximately 150 permanent jobs once the venue is operational,” he said. “Beyond employment, the venue will draw visitors from across the Bay Area, boosting nearby restaurants, hotels, and retail.”

The project’s developers, led by Renaissance Capital, stressed the importance of the domes’ flexible design for long‑term sustainability. “Versatility is key,” said CEO Laura Nieves in a Harvard Business Review piece cited in the Examiner. “The dome can pivot from a high‑energy concert to a quiet yoga retreat or a community theater production—making it a perennial asset to the city.”

Potential Challenges and Controversies

As with any large‑scale development, the domes project faces potential hurdles. Some zoning advocates raised concerns about the impact on traffic and parking, especially given the venue’s location in a densely populated area. The city has already begun a traffic impact study and is exploring options for improved public transit access, including a dedicated shuttle service to the nearest BART station.

Environmental groups have called for rigorous assessments of the dome’s environmental footprint. The developers have pledged to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and to incorporate “green” materials wherever possible, including recycled steel and sustainably sourced timber.

What Comes Next?

The Empire Entertainment leadership team and city officials are now focusing on securing the final approvals from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the dome’s height and proximity to nearby flight paths. Meanwhile, the project’s marketing arm is already building anticipation, teasing a lineup of headlining acts slated for the inaugural season.

From the moment the dome’s curtain lifts in 2027, the Entertainment Domes project promises to redefine San Francisco’s cultural landscape, offering a year‑round, weather‑proof platform for music, sport, and community. With Empire’s experience in event production, the city’s commitment to revitalization, and a clear vision for a multifunctional space, the domes are poised to become a new icon in the Bay Area’s entertainment scene.

References (as cited in the original SF Examiner article):

• Empire Entertainment Official Website – details on the domes project.
• Engineering Daily blog post on retractable dome technology.
• City of San Francisco Building & Safety Department memo on seismic standards.
• SF Bay Guardian interview with Maya Patel.
• Harvard Business Review feature on Renaissance Capital’s development strategy.
• San Francisco Capital Projects Act documentation on bond issuance.

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