Three months ago, the owner of the El Corazon music venue received a demolition permit to tear down the grungy old venue. When I asked the owner, Dana Sims, what was happening he told me in no uncertain terms that he would not be demolishing the building.
“There is no story here,” he wrote in one email, claiming the permit was only to allow him to make necessary updates to the building. When I pushed him further he made this very clear statement: “There are no plans to demolish El Corazon and put a new tower in its place.”
Well, things have changed: There is very much a plan to demolish El Corazon and put a new tower in its place.
The city’s Department of Neighborhoods blog broke the news yesterday (h/t @UrbanistOrg) that the city is conducting early outreach for a plan to bulldoze the venue and put two residential towers in its place. Sims confirmed to me last night that the city information was correct, he was trying to demolish the venue. Sims would not respond to my question asking why he denied plans to demolish El Corazon.
There’s some silver lining to the news, both the city’s blog post and Sims claim that the new building will include space for El Corazon and The Funhouse (a second venue attached to El Corazon).
“We will relocate to a temporary location while a new building is being built… and then reopen in the same location upon completion of the new building,” Sims wrote in an email. “This about the best outcome one could hope for two storied clubs who operate in a building that is nearly 120 years old and in need of substantial improvements.”
Sims made it very clear that the venue would be in the new building.
“Our ownership is not selling the clubs and I have not sold my land/building. I have entered into a joint venture agreement where I will be able to make sure that these clubs continue to operate and serve the music community for many years to come. The clubs will be similar in capacity (El Corazon is 800, The Funhouse 200) and will be awesome for all……and best of all…remain right off the main exit to downtown in the city center,” wrote Sims.
This does sound like a positive outcome for an aging venue that is surrounded by glassy South Lake Union towers, but I’m skeptical. If you’re a fan of El Corazon and want to ensure that it will, in fact, be a part of this building you should reach out and tell the city. Sims is still conducting the early outreach for the project, a city-required process for letting people know what is happening with a building before the final design plans are approved. You can read more about how to get involved over here.
