Symphony Hall to ‘make an entrance’ in £13m plan
BIRMINGHAM’S Symphony Hall is set for a £13.5 million redevelopment featuring a new entrance, extra bars and additional performance spaces.
The world-renowned concert hall in Birmingham city centre will be remodelled as part of a project called ‘Making an Entrance’.
The scheme includes an extended glass front into Centenary Square, creation of more than 8,000 sq ft of new space, a dedicated front door separate to The International Convention Centre, extra bars and hospitality, more than 6,000 sq ft of under-used space brought into more productive use, new learning and education spaces, new corporate hospitality suites, relocation of the box office and an enhanced front of house performance space.
The project has been detailed in a report set to go to Birmingham City Council’s cabinet bosses on Tuesday (October 9).
Performances Birmingham Ltd, which operates Symphony Hall, has been fundraising for the development but has requested an option to loan up to £3 million from the authority to complete the work if necessary.
The council is the sole guarantor for the company and was already set to grant it more than £5 million over the next five years.
Certain aspects of the loan agreement are considered ‘commercially sensitive’ and will be discussed in private.
The report does not reveal when the development will be complete only that it is hoped it will be finished in time for 2022 when Birmingham hosts the Commonwealth Games.
Symphony Hall opened in 1991 and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best concert venues acoustically thanks to its traditional shoebox shape inspired by the famous 19th century halls.
It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
In 2015, a year before its 25th anniversary, the venue welcomed more than 350,000 audiences across a programme of jazz, folk, rock, pop, comedy and community events.