CHESTERFIELD, MO (KMOV). Chesterfield will open a massive music center in 2024 to bring the biggest stars to St. Louis to rehearse and perform.
News 4 visited the Gateway Studios construction site on 32 acres across the street from St. Louis Spirit Airport. The $150 million facility is slated to open in 2024 after pandemic-related supply issues delayed construction. The facility will be commissioned in 2021.
The facility will house several large warehouse studios, including one the size of a football field, which will host artists for pre-rehearsals and rehearsals. The walls of the facility are currently being erected and the steel beams are being lifted into the structure on a daily basis.
The complex also has rigging capable of supporting 2 million pounds and extensive crew infrastructure such as catering, stage set and show production.
Gateway Studios CEO Trey Kerr explained that their vision is to make St. Louis a destination for artists touring again by giving artists the space to fine-tune live performances. For now, he says, artists sometimes skip St. Louis in favor of cities like Kansas City, Indianapolis and Chicago.
“The goal here is that before you go on a big summer tour, you need a place to rehearse, tech and produce your show, and make sure everything is in order before you hit the road,” Kerr said. .
The facility is located across from the airport, giving artists easy access to staff and supplies. Kerr told News4 that the company is already in talks with promoters to take the show to space after it opens and play in the region on subsequent tours.