Live Nation of Beverly Hills, one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies, is “exploring plans” for a new music venue in downtown Bentonville, the company announced Tuesday.
The venture with the Momentary — or “vision,” as the company called it — has been dubbed Bentonville Ballroom. The space would host national touring acts, community events and local performances. It would be built adjacent to the contemporary arts space.
With a capacity of 2,500, the project would add a midsize performance space to the city.
Bentonville Ballroom would open in 2028, the release said, with an estimated $46.3 million annual economic impact. The venue would support about 280 jobs and generate roughly $4.9 million in state and local tax revenue each year.
Live Nation plans to work with city officials to review the project proposal. Priorities include a parking plan that utilizes the Momentary’s garage spaces and connects the venue to Bentonville’s cycling infrastructure.
“We’re honored to work with the Momentary to bring more music to Northwest Arkansas,” Anthony Nicolaidis, Live Nation’s Arkansas market president, said in the release. “This is going to be a special room that brings major artists to Bentonville, and creates a permanent cultural asset for the city — a place where local fans can see their favorite acts without having to travel.”
Ozark Aesthetic
Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s in-house design and development group, worked with BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group of Denmark and Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects of Little Rock to develop venue concepts that aim to reflect Bentonville’s natural setting. Designs feature natural materials, warm wood tones, and a layout that brings the Ozarks’ textures and light into the performance space.
“The vision is a venue that feels both modern and rooted, where art, architecture, and landscape work together to create an unforgettable setting for live music,” the release said.
The space would also be available for private and corporate events. It would be operated by Live Nation.
Visit Bentonville, the city’s tourism agency, enthusiastically supports the project, CEO Kalene Griffith said.
“Live music delivers real economic value for Bentonville and attracts audiences from our community, the region, and beyond,” she said in a statement. “In addition to music, the Bentonville Ballroom will also strengthen our unconventional convention offerings and expand our capacity to host high-impact cultural and business events.”
Publicly traded Live Nation owns or operates about 150 venues across the U.S., including amphitheaters, theaters and clubs.
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