SLSO Stories

Follow Along with the Powell Hall Expansion and Renovation

Powell Hall is one of America’s most acoustically renowned and visually stunning concert halls—and home to your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. We’re renovating and expanding the 98-year-old building to preserve and enhance our civic treasure for generations to come.

This project is inspired by you: our goal is to provide greater access to music, an even more welcoming and comfortable experience for all, and a creative hub that helps us build connections through the power of music.

The revitalized Powell Hall will open in 2025 to coincide with the building’s centennial. We look forward to celebrating with you.

Learn more about the expansion and renovation

August 2, 2024

One of the most photographed elements of Powell is ready for its close up. 

The iconic dome, as well as the most of the auditorium’s interior, has been cleaned and repainted in preparation for the building’s reopening in September 2025. Although portions of the ornate wall and ceiling have been touched up over the years, this is the first time since the 1960s that the auditorium has been repainted at the same time. Locally based PaintSmiths of St. Louis conducted the work to make the orchestra’s home shine.

The auditorium will now have a uniform color throughout, repairing some staining accumulated when tobacco use was permitted inside the hall. The repair and repainting work will also take place in the Wightman Grand Foyer.

Additionally, new, energy-efficient lighting has been added, illuminating those gold details that make Powell Hall one of the most stunning concert halls in the country.

  • July 26, 2024

    If you’ve walked or driven past Powell Hall recently, you’ll have noticed major changes to the lobby expansion. With much of the interior structure constructed, crews have shifted to building the steel shell that will envelop the new space. The design of the new lobby, created by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, features curved […]

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  • July 9, 2024

    It’s been more than one year since ground was broken on the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, a St. Louis architectural and community icon. The auditorium, known for its red velvet seats and ornate cream and gold decorative elements, is getting a much-needed refresh. Scaffolding fills the space, rising from the floor more than […]

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  • July 2, 2024

    New rear walls of Powell’s Hall auditorium floor has begun to take shape. Crews have started to frame the walls, designed to accomplish several goals. Once complete, the entrance to the auditorium will include a vestibule with two sets of doors to reduce exterior noise from infiltrating the concert hall, and provide for more discreet […]

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  • June 20, 2024

    A new and inviting entrance to Powell Hall has begun to take shape on the north side of the building facing Delmar Blvd. Crews began selective demolition in preparation for the construction of a new, accessible entrance with a metal canopy. Later in the project, the sidewalk near Delmar and Grand Ave. will be extended […]

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  • June 6, 2024

    Brick by brick, the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall progresses—literally. Masonry work has begun on the project, led by St. Louis-based John J. Smith Masonry Company. Masons have completed bricklaying on the north façade facing Delmar Blvd., and have started work on the east façade of the new backstage and on the new Education […]

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  • June 4, 2024

    A bold design element of the new lobby expansion has begun to take shape. An anchor of the Snøhetta-designed space will be a spiral staircase that will connect to balconies on four floors outside of the auditorium. These new balconies will provide additional entries into the concert, and also provide more space for added amenities […]

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  • May 31, 2024

    Recently, the iconic entry doors facing Grand Ave. to Powell Hall were removed as the entrances to Powell Hall and some of the interior spaces are reconfigured for a different use. When Powell Hall reopens in 2025, audiences will no longer enter under the marquee, instead accessing the hall through one of four accessible and covered entrances: through the new lobby facing southwest at […]

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  • May 7, 2024

    Over the past two months, the south side of Powell Hall has seen a dramatic change as crews have formed and poured concrete for the SLSO’s new lobby and guest services expansion, which provide much-needed amenities to improve the visitor experience. Last week, forming continued on the fourth and final floor of the expansion that will connect to […]

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  • April 5, 2024

    Part of the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s home, includes infrastructure changes. Recently, new cooling towers were lifted onto the roof of the backstage addition. These cooling towers will help regulate the temperature of the building, creating a comfortable space for audiences and artists. Previously located near the concert […]

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  • March 21, 2024

    The expansion and renovation of Powell Hall reached a milestone today, as the institution marked one year since ground was broken on the project. In that year, the backstage expansion—which will house needed artist amenities including a new music library, lounges, dressing rooms, and media suites—has taken shape. Meanwhile, the walls of the Education and […]

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  • March 1, 2024

    The renovation of Powell Hall’s auditorium took a major step forward recently when crews erected scaffolding to begin a major refresh. Scaffolds rising seven floors from the orchestra level will give experts access to the walls and ceilings for detailed cleaning and repainting work of the intricate cream and gold interior. Once the renovation is […]

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