This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Complex, which held its first concert Thursday, is the newest music venue in the state.
On second thought, change that — The Complex is four of the newest music venues in the state.
The 42,000-square-foot edifice can host four music acts in four separate performance areas: the intimate Vibe room that holds 200 people; the slightly larger Vertigo room with a 425-person capacity; the Grand room that fits 850 people; and the Rockwell, the largest venue at 16,500 square feet and space for 2,500 people.
In contrast, The Depot can hold 1,200 people, and In The Venue can handle 1,300.
With rooms that can legally accommodate over-21 shows as well as those for all ages, The Complex is the newest jewel in a western part of downtown. The area has gradually become the music entertainment district of Salt Lake City, with In The Venue, The Depot and EnergySolutions Arena all within a stone's throw of The Complex. (If you were baseball great Sandy Koufax, you could hit The Rail Event Center and Abravanel Hall, too.) "I am trying to bring everything under one roof," said Ian Morehouse, owner of Saltair in Magna and now co-owner (with Dale Gordon) of The Complex, which was once a foam factory and then a vacant warehouse.
But will The Complex only saturate the already-packed Salt Lake City music market?
Morehouse doesn't think so.
"We aren't looking at kicking people out of the market," he said. "We want to bring new stuff to the market."
Morehouse's wife, Karina, pointed to the success of The State Room and this past summer's Twilight Concert Series in Pioneer Park as evidence that concertgoers are hungry for live music.
With Twilight in mind, venue officials are making preparations to launch a Wednesday-night series of free shows.
Deidre Hill, general manager of local ticket seller SmithsTix, also believe that Salt Lake City can handle another venue. She said The Complex is especially attractive because if one show encounters unanticipated demand, it can easily be moved to a larger room without having to change venues.
"The Complex couldn't be in a much better location," she said. "It's great to have so many places to have live music."
Morehouse and Gordon have put nearly $1 million into The Complex since they purchased it in September 2009, and the structure is not completely finished. Sound insulation is still being built into the Rockwell room, and interior decorations have not yet been installed.
Thursday's show with dubstep DJ Rusko was held in the Grand room.
"It has been a stressful couple of weeks," said Karina Morehouse, who will own the bar in The Complex, in the same arrangement she has at Saltair. The venue has a temporary liquor license but hopes to eventually get a full-service liquor license from the state.
Much as at Saltair and The Rail Event Center, the Grand's mezzanine will accommodate those 21 and older who want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, while the floor will be for all ages. Concessions include pizza slices, wings and waffle fries.
Rusko's show wasn't the first event at the venue. On Monday, The Complex hosted its first Monday Night Football night in the Vibe room, which has several big-screen TVs and concessions. It is open to the public for all Monday-night games.
Venue officials also are preparing for the official grand opening on Oct. 1, with a show featuring DJ Deekline. The event is free with required reservation. Make them at thecomplexslc.com.
The venue also will host two shows on Oct. 5, with British rock band James performing in the Grand room and X96 holding its "Half Ass Show" with Anberlin inside the Rockwell room.
Other shows that have been booked include Four-Year Strong (Oct. 16), Matt Costa (Oct. 22), Jónsi of Sigur Rós (also Oct. 22), Suicide Silence (Oct. 26) and Pepper (Oct. 30).
Music x 4
The Complex is a 42,000-square-foot building with four music venues inside.
Where • 536 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City
Rooms include:
Vibe • 200-person capacity, 1,000 square feet
Vertigo • 425-person capacity, 2,500 square feet
Grand • 850-person capacity, 4,500 square feet
Rockwell • 2,500-person capacity, 16,500 square feet
More info • thecomplexslc.com