Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK - A City Gem!

The Symphony Hall was opened in Centenary Square in 1991. It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The foyer was rebuilt between 2019-21. 
 


Where is Symphony Hall?

Symphony Hall is in Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2EA. 

View site map HERE.

Symphony Hall from Centenary Sqare. Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Architects: Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin (original build 1986-91) | Page/Park Architects (Refurbishment 2019-21)

Contractor:  Unknown (1986-91) | Galliford Try (Refurbishment 2019-21)

Developer: Convention Centre Partnership (1986-91) | Birmingham Performances Limited (2019-21)

 

In brief

The Symphony Hall opened in Centenary Square in 1991, next to the International Convention Centre. It is the home concert venue of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The foyer was completely rebuilt between 2019 to 2021 in time for their 30th anniversary.

A visit to the Symphony Hall is an experience to savour. 

Symphony HallSymphony Hall from Centenary Sqare. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The story of the build 

The Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin (who formed the Convention Centre Partnership for the ICC) designed Symphony Hall.

It was built along with The ICC between 1986 and 1991.

The hall is close to a railway line (below) and it is mounted on rubber cushions, as is the railway track. Pevsner describes the original 1991 building of being built of a heavy mass of grey granite banded with red and blue tinted glass. It's top drum with corner wings defines a symmetrical block but the entrance is pushed under a blue metal canopy, with more halls and theatres beyond.

The hall has 2,262 seats, and was officially opened along with The ICC by HM the Queen on the 12th June 1991.

It is the home concert venue of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, whose Chief Conductor on moving into Symphony Hall was Sir Simon Rattle (until 1998). In 2001, a 6000-pipe symphony organ was installed designed and built by Johannes Klais Orgelbau in Bonn, Germany.

There is a link bridge to the Hyatt Hotel (now called Hyatt Regency Birmingham), which has been used by politicians and celebrities alike. Every two years from 2010, the hall was used for the Conservative Party Conference (apart from in 2020 due to the Pandemic). 

Symphony HallSymphony Hall in August 2019 before the foyer rebuild started. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Work began in the autumn of 2019 to completely rebuild the foyer. This continued through 2020, despite the Pandemic, and was completed and reopened in the summer of 2021.

As of 2021, Symphony Hall and the Town Hall are now managed by B Music Ltd.

Symphony HallSymphony Hall from Centenary Square in June 2021. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was an empty plinth outside of Symphony Hall. The statue of Boulton, Watt & Murdoch was installed here during April 2022.

Symphony HallSymphony Hall from the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham (August 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

During Key to the City in summer 2022, visitors with the key can head into the new foyer, and use their key in a yellow postbox at the Box Office.

Symphony HallInside the foyer at Symphony Hall (June 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

Symphony Hall B:Music website 

B:Music twitter account

Project dates

03 Feb 2020 - On-going

Passions

Modern Architecture, Music & musicians

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Useful links

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

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Related posts

Construction & regeneration
24 Jul 2020 - Stephen Giles 		Gallery

The Construction of Symphony Hall - July 2020

Post image

Designed to reconnect the city through the world class musical offerings at Symphony Hall, the new development is already a prominent new addition to Centenary Square.

Click 'view full post' for a wonderful set of images showcasing the development, with pictures from Stephen, Elliott and Daniel.

Related

The Construction of Symphony Hall - July 2020





Designed to reconnect the city through the world class musical offerings at Symphony Hall, the new development is already a prominent new addition to Centenary Square.

Click 'view full post' for a wonderful set of images showcasing the development, with pictures from Stephen, Elliott and Daniel.


TWITTER: Buildsweare

22nd July:

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Photos by Stephen Giles

20th July:

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Photos by Daniel Sturley

14th July:

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Photos by Elliott Brown

AND HOW THE FRONTAGE WILL LOOK

A new application has surfaced showcasing revised plans for the metal gates/ decorated screens incorporating signage. These can be seen below:

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/AAA(1).jpg" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/ss(1).png" />The latest proposed artists impressions from Page/Park Architects.

PROJECT TEAM: 
DEVELOPER: Birmingham Performances Ltd
ARCHITECTS: Page\Park Architects 
CONTRACTOR: Galliford Try Construction
PROJECT MANAGER: David Stanley Consulting
COST CONSULTANT: PMP Consultants
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL: Max Fordham LLP
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: ARUP
WEBSITE: https://making-an-entrance.thsh.co.uk/
TWITTER: Buildsweare

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30 passion points
Construction & regeneration
29 Jun 2020 - Stephen Giles 		Gallery

Construction of Symphony Hall - June 2020

Post image

A new milestone has been achieved at Symphony Hall with the installation of glass. For a full June update with pictures from Stephen, Daniel and new updated proposals from Page/Park Architects, click the full post below.

Related

Construction of Symphony Hall - June 2020





A new milestone has been achieved at Symphony Hall with the installation of glass. For a full June update with pictures from Stephen, Daniel and new updated proposals from Page/Park Architects, click the full post below.


LATEST IMAGES

26th/27th June:

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dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Construction%20of%20Symphony%20Hall%20-%20June%2026%202020%20(7).jpg" />Photos by Stephen Giles

June 14th:

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dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3925b_SYMH.jpg" />Photos by Daniel Sturley

AND HOW THE FRONTAGE WILL LOOK

A new application has surfaced showcasing revised plans for the metal gates/ decorated screens incorporating signage. These can be seen below:

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/AAA(1).jpg" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/ss(1).png" />The latest proposed artists impressions from Page/Park Architects.


PROJECT TEAM: 
DEVELOPER: Birmingham Performances Ltd
ARCHITECTS: Page\Park Architects 
CONTRACTOR: Galliford Try Construction
PROJECT MANAGER: David Stanley Consulting
COST CONSULTANT: PMP Consultants
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL: Max Fordham
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: ARUP
WEBSITE: https://making-an-entrance.thsh.co.uk/
 
Words by Stephen Giles. Photos by Daniel Sturley & Stephen.

We're also on Instagram: Follow us at @Itsyourbirmingham

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30 passion points
Construction & regeneration
20 Feb 2020 - Daniel Sturley 		Gallery

Constructon of Symphony Hall - February 2020 update

Post image

The Symphony Hall extension is rapidly progressing.  It will look spectacular. 

Stephen and Dan have been watching and have documented the development every step of the way. See their February 2020 update here.

Related

Constructon of Symphony Hall - February 2020 update





The Symphony Hall extension is rapidly progressing.  It will look spectacular. 

Stephen and Dan have been watching and have documented the development every step of the way. See their February 2020 update here.


HOW SYMPHONY HALL WILL LOOK ONCE FINISHED

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The development will provide a state-of-the-art performance space to host 
free and affordable events, improved bars, cafes, seating and hospitality experiences. 

It will also become home for Symphony Hall's Learning and Participation programme, which will include spaces for teaching, performance, and rehearsals. The Box Office and welcome desk will also be relocated to a much more prominent position.

The new look will provide Symphony Hall with a curved sweep of the façade, centred on the Hall of Memory across the square. Two new entrances will be created, both providing quick and direct access from Centenary Square.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Symphony%20Hall%20AI.jpg" />Artists Impressions from Page/Park Architects

LATEST PROGRESS ON SITE:

February 14th:

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Photos by Stephen Giles

EARLIER THIS MONTH

February 7th:

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4th February:

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Photos by Daniel Sturley

January 2020:

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Photos by Daniel Sturley

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