Athenaeum theater Downtown falls under new ownership

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A growing family of music venues operated in former Masonic temples has acquired Columbus' Athenaeum theater.

TempleLive -- run by Arkansas-based Beaty Capital Group -- recently announced its acquisition of the historic Columbus theater. The Athenaeum is the fourth previous Masonic building that the company has acquired, with it also operating a venue in Cleveland as well as in Wichita, Kansas; and Fort Smith, Arkansas.

According to the Franklin County Auditor's Office, the Athenaeum was owned by Columbus Athenaeum Ltd before being acquired by Temple Capital Management in 2009. On Nov. 23, 2022, ownership was granted to Temple Capital Properties LLC.

The Athenaeum is already benefiting from the move, as TempleLive has booked several notable performances that include:

• The Irish Tenors on March 24
• Jim Breuer on April 20
• Rodrigo y Gabreilla on May 15

The Columbus Athenaeum was originally constructed in 1899 as a Masonic Temple. But since the 1990s, it has operated primarily as a premier event and wedding venue in Columbus. TempleLive will continue to operate the venue for private events, national touring acts, local and regional bands, and comedy shows. The company's goal is to bring 100 performances to Columbus each year.

"The Athenaeum's rich history and architectural beauty make it a notable venue in the Midwest," TempleLive Senior Talent Buyer Justin Bridgwater said in the announcement. "The Athenaeum will soon be a sought-after destination for popular artists from diverse genres."