June 8, 2023

Warren Sign, a St. Louis-based business, removed the iconic signs that illuminated the way to the parking lot east of Powell Hall for countless concert attendees. They were designed by Kiku Obata, daughter of legendary architect Gyo Obata, for Grand Center to increase visibility of its parking lots. Each lot had the same design but a different color. For years, the lot near Powell Hall one was known as the “blue lot” until the SLSO acquired the parking lot from Grand Center in 2020.

As part of the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, the SLSO’s parking lot will be redesigned to promote better traffic flow, as well as provide more ADA spaces, better lighting, pedestrian walkways, and green spaces.

The iconic signs, meanwhile, will soon find a new home at another St. Louis icon: the City Museum. The SLSO donated the signs to the landmark, which will erect the signs at its downtown property.