Akron and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. have shared a stage since Frank Seiberling bought an abandoned strawboard factory for the company’s first plant in 1898. So when a new global headquarters was built on the tire giant’s massive campus, its former 1920s-headquarters was turned into apartments and retail space, and developers converted the corporate gymnasium and theater into two new music venues. Goodyear Theater and Hall debuted in April with Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair and Gavin DeGraw during its opening weekend. Before Americana singer-songwriter Jason Isbell hits the theater June 4, Steve Lindecke, managing partner at the Elevation Group, one of the project developers, gives us five things to know.
Mobile Space: The theater can seat up to 1,500 people and the first 92 seats can be removed. “Whether it was a rock act that wanted a mosh pit or something that wanted to bring in a small orchestra, there’s room,” says Lindecke.
Flashing Lights: In the theater lobby, glass soffits with tire tread patterns reflect light from a chandelier and cast an effervescent glow on the walls in homage to the Goodyear brand. “We embraced the history of the venue and then modernized it,” says Lindecke.
Open Spaces: With capacity for 3,600 people, the music hall doesn’t have a permanent lighting system. Yet, that allows it to host acts such as electronic dance music performers who draw thousands of fans with elaborate theatrics. “The rawness of the hall is the hall’s greatest asset,” he says.
Rental Center: Residents of the building’s 106 apartments have access to tickets before they go on sale to the public. “It’s going to bring crowds and traffic and some noise,” says Lindecke.
Squad Goals: The Goodyear Theater and Hall expects to host more than 150 shows a year, including an Aug. 11 concert by the Australian Pink Floyd Show tribute band and a Sept. 8 gig by Academy of Country Music Award winner Sara Evans. “This is a new venue that hopes to bring a wide variety of entertainment opportunities,” says Lindecke.
