Brooklyn Mirage Set for Demolition
The Brooklyn Mirage, an outdoor concert venue in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is facing demolition this summer due to ongoing financial struggles and a failed repossession attempt. A demolition permit has been issued for the site.
This seasonal venue, which spans 32,000 square feet, is part of the larger Avant Gardner complex that also includes the Great Hall and King’s Hall, both of which have indoor shows planned through December 6.
The cost for a complete demolition is estimated at around $1.5 million, as previously reported.
Avant Gardner, the parent company, has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this situation.
Earlier, Avant Gardner expressed plans to sell the Brooklyn Mirage in July, but later missed several inspection deadlines ahead of a scheduled opening in May following extensive renovations.
The Department of Buildings revoked the temporary occupancy permit just days before the anticipated opening, which was set to feature performances from artists like Sarah Landry, Alesso, and Peggy Gu.
At the time of the revocation, the Department noted various safety and technical objections related to the venue, including insufficient accessibility provisions, restroom facilities, and lack of automatic fire sprinklers.
There were serious concerns about the safety of the large truss scaffolding and overall structural stability, raising alarms over whether the venue could safely accommodate the expected crowd of 6,000 people.
In August, the parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, describing the closure of the Mirage as potentially “devastating” to its financial standing. Records show the venue owes over $10 million to multiple vendors, with a significant debt of $1.8 million to South African DJ Black Coffee Entertainment.
The company stated that its Chapter 11 filing was a necessary step, stemming from months of financial hardship that hindered their ability to open the newly constructed event space for the 2025 season. They expressed a commitment to stabilizing their finances.
Gary Richards, the CEO, mentioned that he has been tasked with revitalizing the company culture and believes that the Chapter 11 process may provide a path forward amid these challenges.
In recent years, the Brooklyn Mirage has attracted negative attention, especially following the deaths of two concertgoers near the venue in 2023, incidents that occurred after the attendees left the site.
As reported, the parent company is currently in the process of selling assets to creditors, as it faces about $500 million in debt against around $100 million in assets. A public hearing on the asset sale is scheduled for October 22.
