Historical Highlight: Heinz Hall

Written by Allison Frazer

Heinz Hall holds Pittsburgh’s most beautiful music and architecture, as well as a storied history. Home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Heinz Hall began in 1927 as the Loew’s Penn Theater. The building was almost demolished in 1964 after Loew’s Theater closed its doors, but John Heinz II saw promise in the historic moviehouse and began a 3 year and $10 million reconstruction effort. In 1971, Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts opened its doors for the very first time.

The dazzling interior of Heinz Hall transports you back to a time of grandeur and excellence with its historic architecture and large chandeliers in the lobby. The renovations of 1971 and 1995 vowed to preserve Heinz Hall’s Pittsburgh roots by paying homage to the original interior of Loew’s Theater and, before that, Hotel Anderson. 

The exterior of Heinz Hall is just as stunning and spectacular as the interior. The front of the building preserved the original architecture from 1927, reminding passersby of a time before modernity. Arriving early to a show allows visitors to enjoy a drink in the Garden Plaza, a gorgeous outdoor space with a waterfall feature and vines growing up the side of the building.

Heinz Hall is located in the Cultural District of Downtown, a fitting place for this performing arts center. The world-renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs at Heinz Hall 40 weeks out of the year. Interspersed with the PSO is the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, where you can experience the best prodigies from the Pittsburgh area and the future of classical music. Heinz Hall is also a place for sharing ideas as it is home to the Pittsburgh Speaker’s Series where awarded professionals come to share stories.

Downtown Pittsburgh is rich with culture, fostered by places like Heinz Hall where fine arts and history are the top priority. Catch a show at Heinz Hall at 600 Penn Ave. to hear world-class music all year long.