Construction is underway at Milwaukee’s newest concert venue, and on Wednesday, we learned a bit more about the most recent developments in Deer District.
On Wednesday morning, the Milwaukee Bucks, along with Madison-based concert promoter Frank Productions, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Ald. Robert Bauman and Visit Milwaukee held a press conference to give a status update on the construction, which initially broke ground this past May.
While no significant announcements were made, there were two prospective developments shared during Wednesday’s press conference; the approximately 4,500 capacity ballroom is expected to be open by “late 2025” according to Bucks president Peter Feigin, as well as that the development in Deer District is attracting the attention of a hotel developer that they hope to announce “soon.”
“As the music scene in Milwaukee continues to rapidly grow, FPC Live’s music venue further solidifies Deer District as Milwaukee’s premier location for entertainment,” said Feigin.
FPC Live CEO Joel Plant shared that over 1 million tickets have been sold for Frank Productions Concerts in Milwaukee thus far. The $70 million development is one of the largest private investments in Milwaukee entertainment.
“Our focus has been on building a state-of-the-art performance space that will keep Milwaukee on the list of must-play cities for years to come,” said Plant. “That includes a ballroom unlike anything else in the market, with the modern amenities that both artists and fans have come to expect. Easy ingress and egress, the most modern technology, state of the art sound and lights, accessible facilities, lounges, and premium amenities, all right in the heart of Deer District.”
The speakers on Wednesday stressed that not only would the new FPC Live venue benefit Deer District, but aid Downtown development and increase tourism and residency in Milwaukee.
“Together, we’re building a brighter future for not just Downtown, not just for Deer District, but all of Milwaukee” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “We are adding to a rich array of performance venues in Milwaukee for people to have more choices in the city.”
The FPC Live venue had originally been planned for the Third Ward, but after neighborhood opposition, FPC shifted focus in spring 2022 to the Deer District where the former Bradley Center site remained vacant.
Stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more developments on the venue, Deer District, and if you’re craving some live music after reading all of this, here’s where you can find out who’s playing in town tonight.
