Powell Hall is one of the most important cultural venues in St. Louis and the home of the local symphony orchestra. The facility is now entering the next century of its history in a renewed and more magnificent form than ever before. The completed extension and modernisation of this historic edifice has increased its functionality and emphasised its importance in the artistic and social life of the city. The project, prepared by the Snøhetta studio in collaboration with local partners, expresses great respect for history and tradition, combining it with a modern approach to architecture and greater accessibility to public spaces.
The origins of Powell Hall in St Louis
The building was constructed in 1925 and was originally known as the St. Louis Theater. At the time, it was a venue for revue performances and film screenings. For the first four decades it functioned as a cinema and performance stage, and the last film screened before the change of function was ‘The Sound of Music’ in 1966. At the same time, the edifice was acquired by the St. Louis Symphony Society and, with the support of donors, was converted into the home of the symphony orchestra. Since 1968, it has operated as Powell Hall, commemorating the name of founder Walter S. Powell.
The significance of Powell Hall
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Midtown Historic District. Its location in the prestigious neighbourhood dubbed the Grand Center Arts District has for decades given it a role as one of the main pillars of St. Louis’ cultural life. Since 1998, it has also hosted the St. Louis Speakers Series, now presented by Maryville University.
Snøhetta and partners project
A new phase in the history of the edifice began in 2019 when Snøhetta, together with Christener Architects, Schuler Shook, BSI Constructors and Kirkegaard, developed the design for its advanced refurbishment. Completed on schedule in time for the centenary jubilee, the realisation increased the building’s floor space by an additional 5946sq m and made Powell Hall more open, welcoming and accessible to the public and artists.
Architecture of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
The redevelopment of the building included a new entrance layout inspired by the forms of former concert halls and musical instruments. The interiors have been complemented by communal spaces arranged over several levels to encourage meetings and exchanges. A new public plaza at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive, designed as a green space for integration and relaxation, is also a significant feature.
The edifice before and after the expansion. Photo: Google Maps and Sam Fentress
New facilities for Powell Hall audiences
The refurbishment also includes numerous amenities. Toilets and refreshments have been added on every level, a larger ticket office has been created, and additional lifts ensure efficient transport within the building. Seats in the concert hall are now wider and equipped with drinks holders, while wheelchair-accessible seating has been distributed throughout the space, rather than just at the back of the orchestra section as in the past. The names of the auditorium sections have also been changed to make them more intuitive – Lower Balcony, Mid-Balcony and Upper Balcony have been introduced instead of the former terms Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Terrace Circle.
Interior renovation of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
During the course of the work, the appearance of the concert hall was also refreshed, preserving its historic character. Initially, there were no plans to repaint the walls, but after the old seats were removed and natural light was allowed into the interior, it became apparent that the colour was not uniform. Traces of many years of smoking were also visible, which left dark deposits on the richly decorated ceiling. It was therefore decided to additionally paint the interior, which, combined with new LED fittings, gave the space a fresh look and much better lighting effects. The work cost $2 million and took two years to complete, including two months of scaffolding alone.
Artistic and educational facilities
On the back side of the edifice, state-of-the-art rehearsal rooms, recording studios, artist rooms and educational and workshop spaces have been created. As a result, Powell Hall now serves not only as a concert hall, but also as a centre for collaboration and artistic innovation.
Powell Hall in St. Louis as a symbol of renewal
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s renovated edifice is an expression of a desire to combine local traditions with facilities worthy of the 21st century, and to create a place that is open to collaboration, education and extensive contact with audiences. The completed redevelopment marks a new direction in the operation of concert halls and emphasises the extremely important role of culture in the life of the city.
Project core team:
Snøhetta – project leader responsible for the concept
Christner Architects – the studio responsible for the execution documentation
Schuler Shook – theatre space planning consultant
BSI Constructors – construction manager
Kirkegaard – acoustic design
Photos: Sam Fentress
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