One of Detroit’s historical musical backdrops is about to get a harmonious upgrade with the announcement of a $122 million expansion project for the iconic Detroit Music Hall. This ambitious endeavor, designed by the esteemed Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA), promises to transform the heart of downtown Detroit, making it a central hub for music programming, production, education, and connectivity. With a targeted opening in the fall of 2026, this project is set to elevate Detroit’s cultural scene and further contribute to the city’s renaissance.
The Detroit Music Hall, a beloved cultural institution with a storied history spanning 96 years, has been at the epicenter of Detroit’s vibrant performing arts scene. The expansion project, which has been in the works following an extensive feasibility study in 2023, is set to rejuvenate this cultural landmark. At seven stories and 100,000 square feet, the new Music Hall expansion will occupy the lot adjacent to the classic 1928 Music Hall, located at the corner of Brush and Madison in downtown Detroit.
The expansion plans are nothing short of impressive. The new facility will include a state-of-the-art concert hall, a recital hall, recording and practice studios, leasable office space for industry professionals, and a public welcome center offering box office access to arts and cultural programming throughout the city. This multipurpose music center is designed to meet the fast-growing demand for music programming and contribute to Detroit’s cultural renaissance, thereby attracting regional and global tourism.
Vince Paul, President and Artistic Director of Detroit Music Hall, expressed his excitement about the project, saying, “The expansion will welcome the world to Detroit. Through this new development, we honor our musical legends and create opportunities for the music legends of tomorrow. This portal to the people not only engages our community but will encourage tourists from all over the world to visit and celebrate their musical heroes.”
The design of the new Music Hall expansion is intended to pay homage to Detroit’s vibrant musical history and express the city’s energy and creativity. The building’s exterior will feature a perforated metal rainscreen/sunscreen with shimmering metallic accents, symbolizing the liveliness and movement of performance. The exterior materials are designed to reflect natural light during the day, while at night, customizable, colorful, low-light LEDs will illuminate the building, creating a captivating visual spectacle.
At the core of the expansion is a 24,000 square foot state-of-the-art concert venue that will increase the capacity of the existing Music Hall by 1,900 seats. Additionally, the new Music Hall Center will include a 1,800 square foot, 200-seat flex-use recital hall with sophisticated finishes and ample natural light. This space is designed to accommodate a wide range of performances, from dance to lectures and more.
A striking design element is the chamfered floating canopy that crowns the building. This canopy extends over the sidewalks and alleyway, casting light upon the levels below and connecting the historic Music Hall with the new Music Hall Center through enclosed aerial walkways. The alley between the two buildings will become part of the city’s urban fabric, featuring outdoor seating, areas for public performances, art installations, and spaces for the community to gather, both day and night.
In addition to serving as a performance venue, the Music Hall Center is committed to fulfilling its educational promise to the community. The expansion will house a world-class music academy, nurturing Detroit’s reputation as a leading training ground for musicians, composers, and artists. This initiative builds upon Music Hall’s long-standing commitment to providing performing arts instruction to Detroit students, with approximately 5,000 students currently enrolled.
Visitors to the new building can enjoy a rooftop restaurant on the top level, offering breathtaking views of the downtown skyline and the cultural corridor along Madison. This vantage point allows patrons to soak in the lively atmosphere spilling over from nearby venues like Ford Field and Comerica Park.
The funding for the Music Hall Center’s expansion is anchored by $80 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds issued by the Economic Development Corp, a public authority of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. Lanard Ingram, director of public relations for the DEGC, emphasized the project’s potential to create jobs and stimulate development, saying, “The expansion will educate future generations, nurture local talent, and host a variety of events. The expansion will also create construction and permanent jobs and possibly spur development in the surrounding area.” This project is expected to create 446 new jobs, nearly a hundred new contracts for independent vendors, and over 5,000 artist opportunities.
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