New downtown music venue in the works

A new entertainment option is coming to downtown Springfield.

Tyler Hellweg, who works professionally as a principal architect at Arkifex Studios LLC, said he's part of an investment group developing a live entertainment venue in an Olive Street building near College Station Theaters and Blue Room Comedy Club.

"The performances we are anticipating will be multidisciplinary but will focus on genres like hip-hop, metal, red dirt, EDM, etc., that don't currently have a place to play in our city at this crowd size," Hellweg said via email, noting the venue would have a capacity of 1,800-1,900 people. "Demolition is set to begin this month, and we hope to cut a ribbon and have an inaugural concert in the fall."

The naming and branding of the venue are still in the works, said Hellweg. While he did not disclose the venue’s address, he said more information would be available as the project breaks ground.

However, a building permit on file with the city of Springfield lists Hellweg as the primary contact for a building renovation at 423 W. Olive St., which is just north of College Station Theaters. Building plans included in the permits show a concert venue with the name "The Holler." Arkifex Studios and Hellweg are named in the building plan documents.

The currently vacant building, spanning around 25,000 square feet, is owned by LIPHT LLC, according to Greene County assessor records. Hellweg is one of the organizers of that LLC with Philip Baird and Larry Hurt, its Missouri secretary of state filing shows.

A warranty deed on file with the Greene County recorder's office lists a March 2023 warranty deed for the property between LIPHT LLC and Morris PCSQ LLC.

Reporter Karen Craigo contributed.