Empire Control Room

History

Empire Control Room and Garage became a year-round club in October 2013 at East Seventh Street and Red River, after Stephen Sternschein had used the former auto-repair shop for South by Southwest. The venue's site describes about 15,000 square feet and three stages: the Garage, the Control Room, and a patio. Austin Monitor named partners Lou Ellman, Steven Kalil, and Jeff Speck alongside Sternschein. In September 2024 Rally Austin lent $2.2 million so the operators could buy 604 East Seventh under a 20-year requirement that it stay a music venue. The American-Statesman reported that the Control Room was evicted in April 2026, the Garage two months later, and that 604 and 606 East Seventh were listed in October 2026 for about $7 million.