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Brooklyn Mirage, troubled venue files demolition after 2026 reopening

Brooklyn Mirage, a 32,000‑sq‑ft hall in Williamsburg, will be razed after financial woes and a failed summer return.

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rooklyn Mirage, a 32,000‑sq‑ft open‑air venue in East Williamsburg, is slated for demolition after a failed summer launch and mounting financial woes, according to demolition permits. The site sits within the 80,000‑sq‑ft Avant Gardner complex, which also houses The Great Hall and Kings Hall—both still booked through December 6. The planned razing is estimated to cost $1.5 million, The Real Deal reported. Avant Gardner, the parent company, has yet to respond to inquiries.

    In July, Avant Gardner announced plans to sell the Mirage, but the venue missed an inspection deadline before its May opening, leading the Department of Buildings to revoke its temporary occupancy certificate days earlier. The DOB cited numerous safety and technical concerns, including inadequate accessibility, insufficient restrooms, and a lack of automatic fire sprinklers. Commissioner Jimmy Oddo described the structure as potentially unstable, combustible, and illegal for a 6,000‑person capacity.

    The Mirage’s collapse was deemed “catastrophic” for Avant Gardner’s finances when the company filed for Chapter 11 in August. Bankruptcy filings reveal the venue owes over $10 million to vendors, including $1.8 million to DJ Black Coffee Entertainment. The company stated it needed Chapter 11 to stabilize finances and hoped to revive the Mirage in 2026.

    CEO Gary Richards, who joined two months ago to overhaul the company, said the restructuring is the best path forward. The venue had been slated to host acts such as Sara Landry, Alesso, and Peggy Gou before the revocation.

    The Mirage also suffered reputational damage after two rave attendees died near the venue in 2023. Avant Gardner is now liquidating assets to an affiliate of its lender, with liabilities up to $500 million against assets of no more than $100 million. A sale hearing is scheduled for October 22.

Brooklyn Mirage venue files demolition plans post‑2026 reopening.