It’s clear someone was listening when Greenville music fans spoke out recently about wanting a new concert venue in the area.

A new 450-550 capacity, 9,300-square-foot music venue called The Firmament plans to open this fall at 5 Market Point Drive in the former Blue Fire Grill location near Whole Foods. UBJ previously reported a virtual-reality sports start-up called Hitrium was going to occupy the space, but The Firmament has now taken over the lease.

The venue will have a 30-by-20-foot stage featuring music of all genres, including local, regional, and national acts, Tuesday-Saturday; a full-service restaurant and bar; and 139 parking spaces on site with additional parking available at neighboring restaurants Sticky Fingers, Otto Izakaya, and The Point shopping center.

The Firmament’s owner, Andrew Peek, who will be phasing out of his family’s business, Peek Performance Insurance, when the venue opens, is no stranger to the Greenville music scene. A drummer, DJ, and dabbler on other instruments, Peek played and promoted sold-out shows in the former Handlebar in Greenville, now the Revel events space. He also organizes a music festival at the Saluda River Yacht Club in June called the Lazy River Fest.

“Music is my passion,” Peek says. “I want to offer a place where people can have a safe environment.”

Peek says renovations will include building the stage, installing a sound system by PK Sound, building a large green room, and removing the kitchen in the center of the bar, including a 22-by-11-foot ventilation hood.

There will be seating for 40-50 diners, plus bar seating. Peek is working with a local chef to create a gourmet small plate menu.

“The majority of revenue will be from alcohol sales and tickets,” Peek says.

South Carolina law states that establishments serving alcohol must also serve food, unless they are a private club.

“I figure, if I have to serve food, it might as well be good food,” Peek says.

As he raises more capital, Peek plans to renovate and add several more restrooms. Plans for the additional restrooms could increase the venue’s capacity to 1150 since one toilet is required for every 30 women and every 60 men.

When capacity is increased, it will allow Peek to book more popular acts, since he will be able to sell more tickets to cover the high booking fees, he says.

Planned hours of operation are Tuesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight, and Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.