Venu Unveils New Designs for Sunset Amphitheater in Northeast El Paso, Opens Suite Sales to Investors

Venu Holding Corporation, the developer of the Sunset Amphitheater planned for northeast El Paso, has released new designs for the venue and begun offering the public a chance to buy a stake in it.

The company is the partner in a public-private 380 agreement with the City of El Paso, which was recently expanded. The deal enlarges the project site to 20 acres on the land where Cohen Stadium once stood. Venu says the finished amphitheater will operate year-round, staging between 60 and 70 musical performances spread across all 12 months.

Robert Mudd, Venu's senior vice president of Market Expansion and Construction, said the company only enters markets it is confident it can fill with events. He pointed to national growth in live music and artists' enthusiasm for outdoor venues. According to Mudd, the design's roof and wind walls mean shows will not hinge on sunny, dry weather.

The updated plans also include heating and cooling, along with wind mitigation, so the space stays comfortable in any season. "We're going to be able to program it almost as if it was in an enclosed facility," Mudd said, adding that the venue will nonetheless be open air, with a mountain range forming the backdrop.

Mudd expects Venu to close on the property this week, following the revised agreement with the city. Construction should then take about 14 months, putting the opening of the 12,500-seat venue in late next year. Once it opens, the company plans to focus on attracting top-20 musical talent. Mudd cited Venu's work in Colorado Springs and planned sites in Tulsa and Texas, saying booking partnerships and the company's direct talent sourcing will bring artists "you listen to on the radio every day" to the stage.

Venu is now selling Luxe FireSuites, which come with tickets to all live music events at the amphitheater. A four-person suite starts at $298,500, while an eight-person suite costs up to $597,000. In total, 228 suites will be available, each seating four to eight people. Lifetime memberships to the Aikman Club premium suites are also offered, with 175 memberships available.

Mudd likened the suites to a backyard fire pit where people gather with friends and family for food, drink and music. He said the concept was brought into the amphitheater so guests feel as though they are in their own backyard. The suites feature table service, an enhanced food menu, and furniture where guests can prop their feet or set a plate.

Venu has previously sold the suites at its venues in Colorado and Oklahoma. Mudd said they will be bought by people who invest in the project, and described the offering as very well received and successful as the company has expanded across the country. Venu says buyers are also investing in the amphitheater itself and may see a return on that investment.