Shanghai Concert Hall to get facelift ahead of its 90th birthday
The 89-year-old Shanghai Concert Hall will close next month for major renovations.
Major renovations to Shanghai Concert Hall will get underway next month, including major overhauls of sound, lighting and stage equipment, and some work on the physical structure of the building.
The hall will close on March 1 and the venue will be wrapped for the duration of repairs.
There will be no performances until it reopens in January 2020, when it will celebrate its 90th anniversary.
Built in 1930, the concert hall was initially called the Nanjing Theater. It became the Beijing Movie Theater in the 1950s, and blockbusters from US movie giants FOX, RZO and MGM were shown during the decade. It got its current name in 1959 when it became the nation's first concert hall.
In 2003, the 5,650-ton structure was shifted 66 meters southeast to make way for the construction of Yan’an Elevated Road. At that time, it was expanded, becoming four times larger than its previous incarnation. The facade was restored to its original look. Marble pillars, chandeliers and other embellishments were added to provide a vintage feel, and stage facilities were upgraded.
It reopened in 2004 and more than 500 concerts have been staged each year since.
During the major renovations this time, the appearance of the Shanghai Concert Hall will be preserved while the facilities will be improved.
Broken wooden doors and window frames will be replaced while damaged interior decorations will be fixed.
These current renovations will further restore the exterior appearance of the building. Broken wooden doors and window frames will be replaced and damaged interior decorations will be fixed.
After decades of operation, the walls and ceilings are cracked and ornaments on the handrails are missing. The marble spiral stairs will be repaired while the colorful paintings on the Roman pillars will be restored.
"The main purpose is to enhance safety, improve performance facilities and use the space more effectively," an official with the concert hall said.
Theatergoers have complained of disturbance from outside the main hall, while the folding seats make a loud noise due to lack of maintenance. Both problems will be dealt during the renovations.
Soundproof doors will be installed in the main hall. The cushions and damping system of the seats will be revamped, but the look of the seating will be retained.
The stage machinery, lighting and sound equipment will also be replaced. Some 100 additional performances will be staged in the smaller hall annually after the renovation. Dressing rooms, public toilets and box offices will be refurbished.
The hall will close on March 1.
