Brooklyn Mirage in 2024. Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images
Avant Gardner LLC, the East Williamsburg event complex, has filed for voluntary chapter 11 bankruptcy. The news follows months of cancellations at the company’s most iconic venue, the newly renovated Brooklyn Mirage, and rumors that Avant Gardner was looking to sell.
In the announcement posted to Brooklyn Mirage’s Instagram account, representatives said that the Great Hall and Kings Hall venues will remain open, while shows at the Mirage will be relocated.
“The decision to file for Chapter 11 relief follows several months of financial distress, culminating with Avant Gardner being unable to open its newly constructed Mirage event space for the 2025 season,” the statement reads.
The Brooklyn Mirage venue was remodelled earlier this year with opera style balconies and the world’s first fully kinetic shutter system in a music venue. The project cost upwards of $10 million, according to the New York Times. However, as the May 1 opening date was repeatedly pushed back amidst ongoing delays and permitting issues, the venue remained closed for the summer season.
Avant Gardner replaced CEO Josh Wyatt with non-executive chairman of the board Gary Richards, who reportedly considered selling the venue before deciding to file for bankruptcy.
“The Avant Gardner complex is a truly special music venue that has provided cutting edge experiences over the years for artists and fans from all around the globe,” Richards said in the statement. “Everyone I speak to has had the best sets and very special memories at the Brooklyn Mirage. Two months ago, I was brought in as CEO to rebuild the company’s culture and turn the business around. I believe this Chapter 11 restructuring is the most viable path forward – it will allow us to stabilize Avant Gardner and focus on building for the future.”
