This is the first major renovation of the historic Grand Center building since we purchased the building and made it the SLSO’s first permanent home in 1968.
Originally built as a vaudeville house and movie theater, the venue was never designed to support a symphony orchestra. This transformative project will improve all aspects of the audience and artist experience, while updating the building’s aging infrastructure. We’re improving the safety of the building and making it more accessible and ADA compliant. You’ll also notice upgraded amenities throughout. A new Education and Learning Center will serve as rehearsal space for the SLSO’s two resident choruses and Youth Orchestra and as a home for the SLSO’s education programming.
The renovation and expansion will preserve and enhance what you love about the building—its renowned acoustics and architectural splendor—while improving building infrastructure and expanding the space to better serve our community.
This project is inspired by our community. When Powell Hall reopens, you’ll notice several upgraded amenities: additional restrooms and concession areas; a welcoming new lobby and Box Office to provide more space to gather; beautiful outdoor green spaces; a new café and terrace; a new coat check; enhanced retail space; a viewing booth; a new patron lounge; and new and upgraded entrances.
The auditorium will retain its iconic look and sound, but you’ll notice larger, more comfortable seats with additional legroom and additional sound fortification.
For artists, we are adding new lounges and dressing rooms; practice rooms; more adequate instrument storage; a media and recording suite; and a new music library.
The renovated and expanded campus will be named the Jack C. Taylor Music Center in honor of the long-time SLSO patron and St. Louis business and philanthropic leader, Jack C. Taylor. The renovated concert hall will retain its Powell Hall name.
We’re excited to perform throughout the community during the renovation. Our two primary venues are the Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and Stifel Theatre.
These venues were chosen for their production capabilities, comfort, and ease of access. We’re taking advantage of the unique features of each, with larger-scale productions and movies taking place at the Stifel Theatre, and more intimate productions taking place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. We are also performing throughout the St. Louis region.
We broke ground on the project in March 2023. We look forward to celebrating the opening of the Jack C. Taylor Music Center with you in September 2025—the building’s centennial and the start of our 146th season.
Subscribers and donors receive seating priority and have seats assigned based on subscription order date, subscription tenure, and philanthropic commitment. Subscribers will maintain seating priority upon our return to Powell Hall as long as they continuously subscribe through the expansion and renovation period.
Please contact the Box Office at tickets@slso.org or 314-534-1700 for personalized recommendations.
For non-SLSO events usually hosted at Powell Hall—such as the St. Louis Speaker Series and the Bach Society’s Christmas Candlelight Concert—please visit the website for those organizations for updates on their locations and schedules.
Parking spaces will be east of Powell Hall, with ADA spaces close to the new east entrance. We are increasing the number of ADA spaces from 14 to 20 and adding safer, more accessible drop-off locations, making it easier to drop guests off directly at an entrance. The parking lot will be well lit and include designated pedestrian walkways, improving safety and accessibility. We’re also working with our Grand Center neighbors to evaluate district-wide parking improvements.
We are grateful for your support of this once-in-a-generation project. The community phase of Music for All: The Campaign for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, a capital campaign in support of the project, began in April 2024. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Please visit the Donate page to learn about ways to contribute and to make your gift.
Make Your Gift
Every gift is meaningful in helping us reach our campaign goal. Your support ensures music is accessible to all in St. Louis for generations to come.
