St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Announces Renovation and Expansion Plans
Project will create a community-focused music center of the future and enhance artist and audience experience
Project team led by internationally acclaimed architectural firm Snøhetta; includes St. Louis-based architect of record Christner Architects, theatre planning consultant Schuler Shook, acoustics design firm Kirkegaard; and construction management services by BSI Constructors
Last month, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced renovation and expansion plans for its concert venue, Powell Hall—the first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center building since it became the SLSO’s permanent home in 1968. The renovation and 65,000-square-foot expansion—estimated at more than $100 million and led by Snøhetta in collaboration with Christner Architects, theater consultants Schuler Shook, acousticians Kirkegaard, and BSI Constructors—will transform the 1925 building into a vibrant and accessible community music center. Powell Hall, originally named the St. Louis Theatre, was erected as a movie theater in 1925 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Primary project goals include fostering innovation and greater community connections through the creation a music center, enhancing the audience and artist experience, and modernizing the venue while preserving its historic character.
Expansion to create a state-of-the-art music center for the community
The cornerstone of the project is a 65,000-square-foot expansion that includes:
A new 3,400-square foot education and learning center that will serve as a rehearsal venue for the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, IN UNISON Chorus, and St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, and provide a space for education programs, lectures, and events. The center will serve as a platform for partnerships and collaborations to flourish—engaging, inspiring, and uniting the region’s residents as part of the SLSO’s vibrant community and education programs that include more than 300 performances and events a year.
A new lobby with accessible, welcoming, and updated amenities, including the addition of concession areas, coat check, elevators, and restrooms, connecting Powell Hall to the new backstage area and education and learning center.
A backstage space with expanded amenities for artists including new lounges, dressing rooms, practice spaces, instrument storage, a new music library, and media and recording suites. The backstage expansion will help ensure that Powell Hall remains a destination for the SLSO’s many celebrated artistic collaborators.
Renovation to enhance the artistic and audience experience
Powell Hall is one of America’s most acoustically remarkable and visually stunning concert halls. The renovation will improve safety, accessibility, and comfort, and will help ensure that it remains a treasured civic icon for generations to come by:
Improving existing entrances and adding new ones, making Powell Hall more welcoming for all Grand Center neighbors and visitors.
Establishing and nurturing beautiful outdoor green spaces.
Improving the listening experience in orchestra level seating and reducing external noise through soundproofing and isolation measures, as well as protecting and preserving the acoustics throughout the venue.
Reducing the auditorium’s capacity from 2,683 to 2,150 seats, creating a more intimate patron experience, featuring larger seats and additional leg room to increase comfort and improve accessibility.
Creating an ADA-accessible venue with additional seating, and improving the safety of the auditorium by adding handrails and three elevators.
Adding amenities including restrooms, concessions, and open gathering spaces, and improving parking areas and adding safer and accessible drop-off locations.
Installing a state-of-the-art lighting system, improving building infrastructure and the efficiency of existing building systems.
Striving to create a true center for music and the arts in the region, the renovation will make Powell Hall more functional and enjoyable for all. The project will also allow the SLSO to realize a higher level of operational efficiency, broadening and deepening community connections and collaborations.
For more information, visit the St. Louis Symphony Website: slso.org
