Stage AE

Stage AE is a multi-purpose entertainment complex located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.[1] It contains an indoor concert hall and an outdoor amphitheatre.[2] It is the second indoor/outdoor concert venue in America. Modeled after its predecessor, Express Live! in Columbus, the venue features state-of-the-art lighting, acoustical systems and an innovative reversible stage. Structurally, it's divided into three independent concert spaces: a music hall, club and outdoor amphitheater.[3]

Stage AE
External view of building, October 2020
Former namesNorth Shore Entertainment Complex (planning/construction)
Address400 N Shore Dr
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 15212-5867
LocationNorth Shore
OwnerPSSI Stadium LLC, Continental Real Estate
OperatorPromoWest Productions
Capacity5,500 (Outdoor Lawn)
2,400 (Indoor Music Hall)
400 (The Club)
Construction
Broke groundApril 25, 2010 (2010-04-25)
OpenedDecember 3, 2010 (2010-12-03)
Construction cost$13 million
ArchitectWD Partners
General contractorContinental Building Systems

History

The complex sits adjacent to the Pittsburgh Steelers' Heinz Field. The team, which held the rights to develop the land adjacent to the stadium (the site of the Steelers former home, Three Rivers Stadium), partially owns the venue along with Continental Real Estate Cos. of Columbus, Ohio. The cost of construction was $12 million, with $2.5 million funded from state taxes. Total space of the indoor venue is 22,000 square feet, while the outdoor lawns totals 30,000 square feet. When it opened, the complex was expected to host approximately 100 events per year. In June 2010, naming rights were granted to American Eagle Outfitters, a clothing retailer based in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood.[4]

The venue opened in early December 2010 with two performances by Pittsburgh-native musician Girl Talk. Other performances in the first month included Cake and Anberlin, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, and Pittsburgh-natives Wiz Khalifa and The Clarks.[2][5][6]

During the week before the 2011 NHL Winter Classic held at Heinz Field between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, the outdoor lawn of the venue held a skating rink that was open to the public.[7] Leading up to the Steelers' hosting the 2011 AFC Championship game against the New York Jets, the venue hosted several concerts, parties, and rallies.[8]

Noted performers

Music

Professional wrestling

The venue is also used for professional wrestling. WWE, which normally runs its shows at the PPG Paints Arena for the main roster when visiting Pittsburgh, uses the venue for live events for its NXT developmental brand while leaving PPG Paints Arena as a future option for NXT TakeOver events.

Ring of Honor has adopted Stage AE as its de facto home in Pittsburgh after previously using various venues in and around the area, including the David L. Lawrence Convention Center across the Allegheny River from the venue and as far away as Belle Vernon, California, Indiana, and Wheeling for shows, using college venues or (in Wheeling's case) WesBanco Arena for shows. ROH has had both live events and tapings for Ring of Honor Wrestling at Stage AE, including the Global Wars 2017 tour with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. (The latter marking NJPW's debut in Pittsburgh.) Local Fox affiliate WPGH-TV and MyNetworkTV affiliate WPNT, who are both owned by ROH parent Sinclair Broadcast Group and the latter the local home of Ring of Honor Wrestling, often serve as a sponsor for ROH at the venue.

See also

References
  1. "Stage AE | American Eagle Outfitters Indoor Outdoor Concert Venue | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania". promowestlive.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  2. "New Stage AE to focus on music". TribLIVE. December 2, 2010.
  3. "Venue: Stage AE".
  4. "N. Shore complex name is Stage AE". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 4, 2010.
  5. "Stage AE ready for opening night". Beaver County Times. November 29, 2010.
  6. "Stage AE creates 'intimate' atmosphere during concerts". Point Park Globe. November 11, 2010.
  7. "Winter Classic Community Rink At Stage AE Schedule". WPXI. December 23, 2010.
  8. "Steelers parties set for Stage AE". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 19, 2010.
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