The renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta has successfully completed a major expansion of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's historic Powell Hall, adding a striking 64,000-square-foot modern addition to the nearly 100-year-old venue. The project represents a careful balance between preserving the architectural heritage of the 1925-built theater and introducing contemporary design elements that enhance the facility's functionality and accessibility. The renovation was completed just in time to celebrate the hall's centennial anniversary in 2025.
Located on St. Louis's Grand Boulevard, the expansion project was a collaborative effort involving Snøhetta alongside local partners including Christner Architects, Schuler Shook, BSI Constructors, and acoustic specialists Kirkegaard. The team worked meticulously to preserve the building's original architectural character and renowned acoustic qualities while creating new spaces to support the full scope of the Symphony's programs and community events. The project transforms one of the American city's most cherished cultural landmarks into a more accessible and versatile venue.
The most striking feature of Snøhetta's design is the new front-of-house addition, which greets visitors with a series of dramatically canted masonry shells and elegant arched openings. These inclined surfaces create a sense of visual dynamism and openness, while generous windows invite passersby to glimpse the vibrant activity taking place within the building. The architectural language successfully bridges the gap between the historic theater's classical design and contemporary aesthetic sensibilities.
Inside the expansion, visitors enter a soaring triple-height lobby that serves as the heart of the new addition. This impressive space features terraces and multiple gathering areas that create visual connections between different levels of the building. The design encourages social interaction and community building, providing ample space for pre-concert mingling and post-performance discussions. A sculptural spiral staircase serves as both a functional circulation element and an artistic focal point, allowing visitors to ascend through the space while experiencing changing perspectives of the lobby below.
The project extends beyond the building itself to reshape the surrounding urban environment. Snøhetta has designed a new public plaza at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive, creating an outdoor extension of the Symphony's cultural presence in the city. This sunlit square offers flexible gathering space for community events and integrates practical elements such as vehicle drop-off zones. Lush planting beds soften the urban setting while providing accessible routes from multiple directions, ensuring the space is welcoming to all visitors.
The design team carefully planned circulation paths throughout the site to create fluid connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Towering groves of trees frame the main entryways, while a thoughtful network of pathways ensures that the plaza functions effectively for both pre-concert gatherings and quiet daytime use. This seamless integration of landscape and architecture demonstrates Snøhetta's holistic approach to urban design.
Behind the scenes, the eastern portion of the expansion houses state-of-the-art facilities that significantly enhance the Symphony's operational capabilities. New rehearsal rooms provide musicians with acoustically optimized spaces for practice and collaboration, while modern recording suites enable the orchestra to document their performances with professional-quality sound capture. Additional storage areas help organize the complex logistics of running a major symphony orchestra.
The renovation successfully infuses contemporary design elements throughout the facility while maintaining deep respect for the building's architectural heritage. The project strengthens Powell Hall's role as a creative hub for the St. Louis community, with enhanced spaces for educational programming and community events. The expansion ensures that this beloved cultural institution will continue to serve as a cornerstone of the city's artistic life for the next century, combining the grandeur of its historic past with the functionality needed for its vibrant future.
