The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is continuing the transformation of Powell Hall with the launch of the community phase of their campaign called Music for All.
There's scaffolding in the auditorium, the old box office is gutted, but the red borders remain. Powell Hall is nearly 100 years old, and it's no longer able to support the growing popularity of the symphony. SLSO President and CEO Marie-Helene Bernard said the symphony houses two choruses, a youth orchestra and expanding educational programs.
"Last year alone we served 329,000 students and 1,500 teachers. So we needed a space that was evolving to support these programming needs and audience expectations," Bernard said.
The renovation includes a 65-thousand square foot expansion that adds a new Education and Learning Center, a backstage wing for visiting artists, and a three-story lobby overlooking terraces and connecting every building of Powell Hall. There will also be outdoor green spaces for gathering areas.
SLSO says they will preserve what the community loves about Powell Hall, while enhancing its architecture and world-class acoustics . Some improvements include:
• Improved accessibility, with additional entrances from all four sides, accessible seating throughout the auditorium, handrails and a softer auditorium slope.
• More than double the amount of restrooms, concessions and elevators.
• New and improved amenities including a cafe and terrace, retail areas and a Leadership Circle Lounge.
• Larger seats with more leg room
• Viewing space for late attendees, families with young children or patrons with sensitivity issues.
• Soundproofing measures to enhance listening experience, done by acoustics design firm Kirkegaard.
An internationally acclaimed architecture firm, Snohetta, is leading the project. Founding partner Craig Dykers said it was very important for Powell Hall to have the same historic feel when you enter, but they wanted the outside to be more inviting.
"First thing we had to address was to make it so you could easily walk into the door, without feeling that there was any pressure to turn away," Dykers said. "Glass was open to the entirety of the interior lobby, very quickly. And the lobby itself could have activities in it that you could see from the outside."
Lead Architect Takeshi Tornier said what's unique about the project, is they are actually keeping preservation in mind throughout the process. Tornier said usually the exterior of a building is complete before the interior.
"It's the opposite here, they build the inside first," Tornier said. "It's almost like a building within a building. And then the shell comes last."
Powell Hall is one of the country's most acoustically renowned music halls. In 1925, the venue originally opened as a movie theater. In 1968, it was renovated and renamed as Powell Hall - the SLSO's first permanent venue. It was later listed as a historical building in 2001, and plans for potential renovation didn't begin until 2019.
BSI Constructors are a St. Louis based project manager working on the site. Project Manager Patrick Maloney talked with K-M-O-X and said this is the biggest project he's worked on in almost 10 years.
"I think it'll be a really great place not just for the patrons and the musical scene and all of that, but I think it'll also be a place that the city can come to and congregate," Maloney said. "Not only will it be a great place for the arts but also the community."
Aside from the expansion, the main auditorium of Powell Hall is not set to change that much. Craig Dundon is the Public Relations Director for SLSO. He said people asked if the chandeliers will stay.
"Yes, the chandeliers are staying," Dundon said.
SLSO's Music for All has a campaign goal of $155 million, $140 million to support design, construction and other related project costs. The other $15 million will support the endowment cost.
The campaign's community phase begins on April 17th.