Newsletter – Issue 40
A.J. Brown Delivers on Entertainment’s Biggest Stage
When A.J. Brown, Inc. stepped into the Gateway Studios & Production Services project in Chesterfield, Missouri, the challenge was clear: take over a complex, large-scale build mid-stream and see it through to completion. Nearly a year later, the result is operating proof that the trust was well placed.
The Finish Line — On Schedule
True to the timeline A.J. Brown established when taking over the project, the first phase was complete in early April 2025. That milestone allowed GSPS to open its two largest studios to clients right away. The remainder of the development, including the office building, was completed in January 2026. Both phases were delivered within A.J. Brown’s control estimate, no small feat for a project with significant complexity.
A Facility Unlike Any Other
The completed complex at 900 Spirit of St. Louis Boulevard spans approximately 300,000 square feet and stands as the largest rehearsal and production facility of its kind in the United States. Three purpose-built studios — Studio 80, Studio 75, and Studio 65 — together offer 80,000 square feet of studio space, plus 25,000 square feet of outdoor courtyard and an additional 25,000 square feet of support space.
The flagship Studio 80 measures 300 feet by 175 feet, roughly the size of a football field from goal line to goal line, with an 80-foot grid height and a structural capacity of two million pounds overhead. Each studio is engineered to mirror the scale of major touring venues, with multiple power stations for different stage configurations, acoustically treated environments designed for controlled sound, and structural ceiling systems that allow clients to hang full lighting, rigging, and staging equipment. Every studio is paired with its own dressing rooms, offices, catering lounge, and dedicated loading docks. The facility is truly built for touring professionals, by touring professionals.
A Construction Achievement Worth Noting
Among the accomplishments the A.J. Brown team points to with pride: successfully reengaging the original subcontractors to complete the work. In an industry where mid-project transitions can fracture working relationships, A.J. Brown’s reputation allowed them to keep the core team intact, preserving continuity and delivering both phases in line with the project’s original intent.
“This was a new one for us, very specialty-focused,” said Doug Rendleman, President & CEO of A.J. Brown. “It represents yet another one-off project we were trusted to take on. From the Holocaust Museum to casino construction to historic buildings, we’ve built a track record of handling what others find difficult. We’re proud to add this one to that list.”
Open for Business
Today, GSPS is fully operational and welcoming some of the biggest names in live touring. Acts including All Elite Wrestling, 21 Pilots, Goose and System of a Down have already used the facility to rehearse and build out productions before hitting the road. The facility is also booking corporate events and broadcast productions. The vision that GSPS had for a world-class production hub in St. Louis has become a reality — and A.J. Brown helped make it happen.
For more information about Gateway Studios & Production Services, visit gsps.com.
“This project isn’t just about the building. It’s about what it brings to the region. Major touring acts, film and television productions, and corporate events: all of that activity translates to jobs, hospitality, and economic energy for the St. Louis area. And decades from now, people will still be coming to Chesterfield to rehearse and produce world-class events because of what was built here. It was an honor to be trusted with something that will have that kind of lasting impact.”
Doug Rendleman
President & CEO, A.J. Brown, Inc.
Working for you
A.J. Brown is dedicated to clear communication and proven management strategies, all aimed at delivering a construction project that meets client goals. “We make it our business to understand our clients’ business objectives so we can help them succeed,” says Rendleman. “We’re here to make you look good.”
If you’re looking for the right partner for your next construction project, talk to A.J. Brown. You can reach Doug Rendleman at 636-537-3636.
