Powell Hall

dredger · PostJul 22, 2022#1512022-07-22T20:01+00:00

I can't see it being other then you really like it or hate it from the outside.

For me, I'm with Peter right now. Somehow a couple big sweeping arches trying to mimic the Powell Arches over the street facing windows seems like a big miss IMO (or least that is what I think the intention is). I get the fact that the ornate details of past are tough to pull off without huge sums of money. But I just don't get proportions in my laymen terms of design.

but as Framer noted, devil will be in the details. Also, in fairness we truly have no idea what the additions inside will be for the audience experience and as well for the artist going forward. I think the inside space is very relevant as a whole so I can see where some tradeoffs might be made.

SRQ2STL · PostJul 22, 2022#1522022-07-22T22:46+00:00

framer wrote: ↑
Jul 22, 2022
I think it will be. The architects are internationally renowned, and Emily Pulitzer, who headed up the design committee, has impeccable taste.

Impeccable taste would have been finding a way to integrate the house into a modern design. The house didn't need to be moved far. They could have moved it a few feet and made it work. Or just built around it. I will never, ever accept the final assessment. It's a load of horseshit. The new design is completely and utterly uninspired and lazy. The symphony can suck it.

mikenewell48 · PostJul 22, 2022#1532022-07-22T22:49+00:00

The new design/plan, in my opinion, is uninspired

framer · PostJul 25, 2022#1542022-07-25T12:42+00:00

Posted on STL Memories Vintage Photos Facebook page:

tztag · PostJul 25, 2022#1552022-07-25T23:05+00:00

lobot3000 wrote:“

• A property inspection completed by Pillar to Post in June 2015 found many safety hazards and maintenance deficiencies, including metal dilapidation, wood rot, moisture throughout the building, and the presence of asbestos, lead paint, and mold/mildew.
• An environmental site assessment completed by Shifrin and Associates in July 2015 tested the site for hazardous materials, and found the presence of asbestos, mold, and lead paint that would need to be abated before making the building functional.
• In October 2015, a building report completed by Jeffrey A. Brambila Architects & Planners did not support that the building be saved or restored given its deteriorated state.
• In January 2022, Geotechnology, Inc. completed a survey and regulated materials inventory and indicated the continued presence of asbestos and lead paint.

.“

This kind of stuff kills me. Any house built in that era will have the same issues, even ones well maintained. They all have/had asbestos on the heating pipes. You wrap it and move on. They all have lead paint. They all have some rotted wood. They all have evidence of roof leaks. They all have “dangerous” wiring. They all have issues. The net is that you can justify any demolition you want.

If we tore down every house with the same issues in the city we would only have houses left built after about 1950. Maybe 1980 if we include all the lead paint.

TheWayoftheArch_V2.0 · PostJul 26, 2022#1562022-07-26T17:42+00:00

Well said. So very true.

_nomad_ · PostJul 26, 2022#1572022-07-26T18:17+00:00

tztag wrote: ↑
Jul 25, 2022
lobot3000 wrote:“

• A property inspection completed by Pillar to Post in June 2015 found many safety hazards and maintenance deficiencies, including metal dilapidation, wood rot, moisture throughout the building, and the presence of asbestos, lead paint, and mold/mildew.
• An environmental site assessment completed by Shifrin and Associates in July 2015 tested the site for hazardous materials, and found the presence of asbestos, mold, and lead paint that would need to be abated before making the building functional.
• In October 2015, a building report completed by Jeffrey A. Brambila Architects & Planners did not support that the building be saved or restored given its deteriorated state.
• In January 2022, Geotechnology, Inc. completed a survey and regulated materials inventory and indicated the continued presence of asbestos and lead paint.

.“
This kind of stuff kills me. Any house built in that era will have the same issues, even ones well maintained. They all have/had asbestos on the heating pipes. You wrap it and move on. They all have lead paint. They all have some rotted wood. They all have evidence of roof leaks. They all have “dangerous” wiring. They all have issues. The net is that you can justify any demolition you want.

If we tore down every house with the same issues in the city we would only have houses left built after about 1950. Maybe 1980 if we include all the lead paint.

The hypocritical thing too is that any renovation to use it as part of the Powell addition probably would've gutted the interior anyway removing all of the things they're complaining about. Also they're still going to need to deal with asbestos and other toxic material mitigation during demolition, it's not like the toxicity of those materials doesn't count when they're demoing to get rid of the building versus demoing to gut the house.

sc4mayor · PostAug 04, 2022#1582022-08-04T17:34+00:00

A brief chat with Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO’s president and CEO in Ladue News:
https://www.laduenews.com/arts-and-cult ... 18a1f.html

We anticipate breaking ground on the expansion in spring 2023. We expect the renovated and expanded Powell Hall to reopen in 2025, which marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the building.

Improved amenities that will add comfort and safety of visitors’ experience are being planned, in addition to more restrooms, concession areas, a coat check and elevators – gracing a new lobby with a dedicated guest drop-off area that connects to the existing Powell Hall foyer and concert hall. Inside the auditorium, we’re enhancing the already superb acoustics and replacing the 1967 seats to improve comfort and accessibility while maintaining the signature look of the concert hall. The project will enhance the urban environment around Powell Hall with the construction of a new entry on Delmar Boulevard, a welcoming outdoor plaza, outdoor terrace area and improved green spaces.

For artists, the expansion will add necessary backstage space that currently doesn’t exist. The expansion will add dressing rooms, lounges, storage, practice space and media suites that will maintain the SLSO as an international destination for artists.

quincunx · PostJan 14, 2023#1592023-01-14T16:02+00:00

$95M building permit application submitted

sc4mayor · PostJan 29, 2023#1602023-01-29T20:45+00:00

quincunx · PostMar 29, 2023#1612023-03-29T13:44+00:00

quincunx wrote: ↑
Jan 14, 2023
$95M building permit application submitted

Issued

PostMay 05, 2023#1622023-05-05T23:40+00:00

"The budget sets aside $3 million to help finance a major renovation of Powell Hall for the St. Louis Symphony."

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 8f8a0.html

Tim · PostAug 12, 2024#1632024-08-12T03:36+00:00

"Follow Along with the Powell Hall Expansion and Renovation"
https://www.slsostories.org/post/powell ... on-updates

GoHarvOrGoHome · PostAug 12, 2024#1642024-08-12T13:16+00:00

Didn't realize they were adding a new cafe/bistro to the old box office area. Hope they keep it open to the public outside of performances. Would be a nice street activation on Grand

dylank · PostAug 25, 2024#1652024-08-25T14:54+00:00

PostAug 25, 2024#1662024-08-25T14:56+00:00

Progress on Powell Hall Expansion:

Chris Stritzel · PostOct 18, 2024#1672024-10-18T19:02+00:00

dredger · PostOct 18, 2024#1682024-10-18T22:51+00:00

Thanks for all photos Chris

I assume it is not really in Symphony plan or interest to be a developer but I can picture a development/parking structuring on the back lot incorporating Arts Apartments., maybe name it Musicians Alley Apartments.

quincunx · PostFeb 26, 2025#1692025-02-26T13:30+00:00

PostSep 20, 2025#1702025-09-20T01:57+00:00

StlToday - First look: St. Louis' legendary Powell Hall revamped, expanded

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/met ... 6feac.html

framer · PostSep 24, 2025#1712025-09-24T12:55+00:00

"A New Dawn: Inside the Transformative Powell Hall Project"

https://slso.org/inside-the-powell-hall-renovation/

PostSep 25, 2025#1722025-09-25T13:00+00:00

More pics and info:

https://www.stlmag.com/design/powell-ha ... e=hs_email

southcitykid · PostSep 27, 2025#1732025-09-27T13:15+00:00

I love the momentum that is happening in Grand Center. A couple of decades ago it seemed like nothing would ever take shape.

delmar2debaliviere2downtown · PostSep 27, 2025#1742025-09-27T14:56+00:00

Very nice. This adds so much to the street level experience. Grand Center has beautiful buildings, and the more beautiful the surroundings are, the more it will build out I believe. I still would like to see the old St. Louis and Missouri theatre signs to be placed somewhere in the district

framer · PostSep 30, 2025#1752025-09-30T12:55+00:00

From the New York Times:

"A Reborn Concert Hall Provides a Lift for St. Louis at an Uneasy Time

Powell Hall, home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, has been renovated and expanded, reopening in what the city’s mayor called a “very, very rough year.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/arts ... e=hs_email

Powell Hall

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