Benaroya Hall opened on September 12, 1998, in downtown Seattle as the purpose-built home of the Seattle Symphony. Named for philanthropists Jack and Becky Benaroya, whose Benaroya Foundation contributed the largest gift in the symphony’s history toward the $120 million project, the hall occupies a full city block at 200 University Street and was designed by Seattle-based LMN Architects.
At its core is the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, a 2,500-seat main hall engineered by renowned acoustician Cyril Harris, paired with the smaller 536-seat Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. The building famously floats on rubber isolation pads to buffer noise and seismic activity, sitting directly above a rail tunnel now served by Symphony station. Since opening, the hall has roughly doubled the Seattle Symphony’s budget and performance schedule.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 200 University Street, Seattle, Washington
- Type: Concert hall
- Opened: September 12, 1998
- Capacity: 2,500 (Taper Auditorium) / 536 (Recital Hall)
- Architect: LMN Architects
- Acoustician: Cyril Harris
- Construction Cost: about $120 million
- Famous for: Home of the Seattle Symphony and Dale Chihuly’s glass art
Design and Acoustics
Benaroya Hall was built with acoustics as the driving design principle, guided by Cyril Harris, one of the era’s most respected concert hall acousticians. The Taper Auditorium’s shoebox-inspired proportions and adjustable canopy were tuned specifically for the Seattle Symphony’s orchestral repertoire. To keep outside noise and vibration from the adjacent transit tunnel out of the performance spaces, the entire structure rests on rubber isolation pads, an engineering solution that also helps protect the building during earthquakes.
A Community Landmark
Beyond its role as a performance venue, Benaroya Hall houses a notable glass art collection, including Dale Chihuly’s large-scale installation Crystal Cascade in its lobby. The hall has expanded its programming well past classical subscription concerts, hosting popular-music “pops” collaborations since 2007 that now account for a significant share of the symphony’s ticket revenue, helping the venue serve as both a civic gathering place and a working home for the orchestra.
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Benaroya Hall FAQs
When did Benaroya Hall open?
It opened on September 12, 1998, as the new home of the Seattle Symphony.
Who is Benaroya Hall named after?
It’s named for philanthropists Jack and Becky Benaroya, whose foundation made the largest donation in Seattle Symphony history toward the hall’s construction.
How many people can Benaroya Hall’s main auditorium hold?
The S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium seats about 2,500, while the smaller Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall seats 536.
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Photo: Andrew A Smith / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.