An exciting new concert venue could be coming to a historic SF rooftop. Earlier this year, EMPIRE, a recording label and distribution company, bought one Montgomery Street for over $20 million. The independent record label started in San Francisco and plans to make the building their new headquarters, including turning the building’s rooftop into a concert venue. The historic building has been vacant for several years after being sold in 2019 to a real estate developer. EMPIRE has released music from major artists including Cardi B, Shaboozey, and Anderson .Paak, Snoop Dog, T-Pain, and many more. EMPIRE was founded by Ghazi Shami, an SF local who started the label out of his home in Potrero in 2010.
“EMPIRE has always been rooted in San Francisco, and we’re proud to build our permanent headquarters in the heart of the Financial District, establishing a world-class destination for artists and the community at large,” said Shami in a statement, according to Kron4. “Our vision has always been about more than just the music–we create culture and cultivate community. By restoring a historic landmark for our new headquarters, we’ll be able to further achieve our mission of supporting and empowering artists while offering incredibly community-driven events. This is a bold step forward for EMPIRE and a significant investment in the city we have long called home — we can’t wait to share it with our fellow San Franciscans.”
One Montgomery is over 100 years old and is known for its beautiful rooftop garden, which Shami plans to use for concerts in the future. EMPIRE’s purchase of the building to use as its headquarters is an exciting addition to downtown SF, as the city continues to struggle with office vacancies in the Financial District. EMPIRE is also hosting a free concert at Civic Center Plaza this September to celebrate its 15th anniversary. The free show will be called EMPIRE 15, and it will feature Shaboozey, Fireboy DML, and Red Leather on September 13 from 3 to 7 pm.