Location
Detroit, MI
Original Construction
1919
Construction Cost
$8,000,000
Completion Date
1994
National and State Register Listed

Originally constructed in 1919 for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), it was one of the world’s finest acoustical auditoriums for concert performances. By the late 1960s, however, a series of alterations to the building over the years had made the 2,200-seat concert hall uninhabitable and the building was threatened with demolition.

The building was saved in 1971, and soon thereafter, restoration of the structure began with a Historic Structure Report/Master Plan to establish and prioritize programs for restoration, alterations, and necessary expansion. This plan, and a supplement, served as public relations and fund raising tools. As funds became available, pieces of the plan and supplement were implemented. After nearly 20 years, the DSO finally reclaimed the building as its home in 1989.

Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA, directed the implementation of the first phases of the restoration plan including lobby and exterior restoration, acoustical elements, and life-safety issues