Music to our eyes
Nicknamed “Mr. Houston,” Jesse H. Jones is credited with helping shape the city into what it is today. He built several business empires, was instrumental in the construction of the Houston Ship Channel, and founded the Houston Endowment. The Endowment went on to fund the construction of the new Jones Hall in 1964, fulfilling Jones’ wish for Houston to have a new opera house. The beloved Houston landmark is undergoing interior improvements to keep it at the forefront of performing arts venues.
Studio RED Architects and Ennead Architects designed the multi-phased renovation to improve both the audience experience and back-of-house function. PRISM developed the wide-angle stage rendering used to solicit critical user group feedback. Renderings for architects such as this is one way we help visualize a better community. Construction is underway, occurring between seasons, and is expected to be complete in 2025.
Within the Symphony Hall, Studio RED designed improvements to the side walls to provide better acoustics, replaced all seating, reconfigured the layout from continental seating to include aisles and fewer doors, and replaced the stage flooring. Other work included a new AV room above the stage, new orchestra lift/seat wagons, updated AV, lighting and IT infrastructure, a new green room, and new restrooms with better access from the lobby. More updates will occur between the 2023-24 season, including updated rigging, a new orchestra shell, new house lighting, and renovated dressing rooms. Outside Jones Hall, the adjacent Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts is set to open in September 2023, and will serve as the ”front lawn” of Houston's Theatre District. There's now even more to enjoy about Houston’s performing arts!
