The Francis Winspear Centre for Music, which opened in 1997, is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, hosting a wide range of notable concerts, community events and programs. To this day, the centre is considered one of the greatest music halls in North America and known as a space that transformed classical music in Edmonton and around Canada. The expansion is the finishing touch to Edmonton’s downtown cultural district.
The expansion will include a new 600-seat performance hall designed with acoustic science to provide alternative space for smaller performances, conferences, and community events. The hall will be professionally managed with built-in features, such as a concert quality piano, guest and ticket services, multimedia technology, parking, and access to LRT connections. The programming multipurpose spaces will inspire creativity and play, with visually stimulating rooms, lobbies, and transitional spaces throughout. The walls will “sing” with musical quotes, facts, and motifs, providing a unique atmosphere for visitors. Instead of fixed seating, the centre has a hydraulic lift system that can change the configuration from a flat floor to bleacher-style seating – transforming the facility from concert and dance performances to banquet style events.
At the Tommy Banks Institute for Musical Creativity, visitors will have access to various activities programmed by the institute, and the atrium will provide comfortable spaces for people to gather and share music. The technologically-equipped rooms of various sizes will be available to rent and flexibly designed for educational programs, music, choral or dance rehearsals, conferences, site-based school rooms, or small-scale events.
Additionally, commercial retail bays will be created along 97th Street, animating the area with tenants such as cafes, bistros, boutiques, and street-front offices for other creative groups. The expansion provides a hub for creative performances and events, allowing the Francis Winspear Centre for Music to continue to be a cultural landmark in the community of Edmonton for years to come.
