Four months after the previous owner was sentenced to probation on marijuana conspiracy charges, the Downtown music venue The Complex has been sold to a California entertainment juggernaut.
The venue at 536 W. 100 S. has been sold to AEG Presents, the entertainment company that’s a subsidiary of Anschutz Entertainment Group, the company said Thursday.
Anschutz is the owner of the Coachella Music Festival among other live entertainment groups. The Complex is the first holding by the company in Salt Lake City.
“The Complex is the backbone of live music in Salt Lake City. We have always loved promoting shows at The Complex and are so thrilled to bring AEG Presents’ knowledge, relationships and resources together with the entire management team,” AEG Presents regional president Don Strasburg said in a statement.
“We are diligently reviewing every opportunity to enhance the already stellar patron and artist experience to make sure the live music fans get even better world class experiences,” Strasburg said.
The Complex was founded in 2010. According to federal prosecutors, it was built using profit from an extensive and yearslong marijuana distribution operation by former owner Gabriel Elstein and associates.
Federal prosecutors originally alleged in 2018 that Elstein bought and sold at least 2,500 pounds of marijuana between 2007 and 2013. They alleged the group used profits from selling the marijuana to build the Complex.
Elstein paid $10 million in forfeitures to the federal government, according to Fox13 Now. Elstein and co-defendants in the scheme allegedly used the marijuana profit to outcompete other music venues for musical acts, the outlet reported.
Elstein, who was sentenced to three years’ probation in January, sold his interests in the property to a holding company and leased it back as it continued to operate while his case continued. Instead, the venue has been sold for an unknown amount.
The venue is home to a room that holds 2,500 visitors and another that holds 850. It is also capable of holding outdoor events on its parking lot, which has a capacity of 4,000.
“These venues have hosted some of the biggest acts in the world from all genres, including Billie Eilish, Billy Idol, Flume, J Cole, Jelly Roll, Lil Wayne, Megan Maroney, Macklemore, Slayer, Travis Scott, & Vampire Weekend,” AEG said.
The venue will retain its existing staff, AEG said. Xavier Frey will be its talent buyer and Paul Brucks will be the venue’s general manager.
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