Symphony Hall Unveils New Look, Facility Modernizations

Symphony Hall is stepping into the spotlight with facility upgrades and a rebrand aimed at reflecting its place in the city’s entertainment ecosystem. The improvements bring a more modern, welcoming feel to the venue while staying true to the character that’s made it an iconic part of Phoenix’s cultural fabric for more than 50 years.

The City of Phoenix invested roughly $7 million in the venue for modernizations, including the addition of three massive video walls in the lobby, re-lamping the entire interior of the house, and sound system enhancements. While the venue received a physical makeover, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues leadership wanted to make sure the Symphony Hall brand reflected the modernization efforts.

“Symphony Hall plays a crucial role in the culture of downtown Phoenix,” said Jerry Harper, director of the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues. “Our new brand is reflective of the strong structural design of the building, and the sound waves that play on stage with each and every performance. It also reflects our continued investment in the venue and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining Symphony Hall’s legacy as one of the crown jewels of Phoenix.”

New Technology Enhances Attendee Experience

Upgrades across the venue were designed to enhance everything about the attendee experience. Changes can be seen before a guest steps foot inside, with new LED uplighting and exterior lane line signage.

“We believe the guest experience begins the second someone lays eyes on the venue,” said Sean Kenny, theatrical venue manager for Symphony Hall and Orpheum Theatre. “With new directional signage, striking video walls and refreshed lighting, guests will experience Symphony Hall like never before. Our goal is for everyone to feel immersed in the unmatched energy of the performances housed in this incredible venue.”

The lobby upgrade introduces three 27 by 13 feet LED panels mounted on a newly designed smokey glass wall. Once inside the auditorium, guests will spot two new LED panels flanking the stage. These special screens are connected to motorized rigging hoists, allowing crew members to lift, lower, and move them around. This flexibility improves sightlines and keeps the audience fully engaged with every performance.

Behind the scenes, the sound system received a major upgrade. The new Yamaha Digital Mixing Console allows equipment to be moved around the hall depending on the type of show and audience-size. The flexibility of the sound mixing equipment along with the addition of a state-of-the-art line array sound system provides optimal acoustic clarity and uniform sound distribution within the auditorium. The updated network also connects directly to the new assisted listening system, so every guest gets clear, balanced sound.

“Historic performing arts venues have a unique responsibility to preserve the facility’s legacy while continuously enhancing how audiences and artists interact with the space,” said Bob Fingerman, assistant director of the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues. “Symphony Hall has long stood as a cornerstone of downtown Phoenix’s culture, and modernization is essential to maintaining our place in the community.”

A New Brand for a New Era

The new “Crown Jewel” logo reflects the venue’s identity, its distinctive architecture, and its longstanding role in downtown Phoenix. The iconography draws from the building’s recognizable profile, emphasizing its bold brutalist forms and celebrating the structure as an important piece of the city’s artistic history.

The logo’s outer silhouette references the crown-like shape visible from key exterior angles, reinforcing Symphony Hall’s presence in downtown Phoenix. Inside the mark, a soundwave element symbolizes the steady flow of performances that fill the venue each year—from orchestral concerts and touring productions to ballet, lectures, and community events. Together, these components represent both the strength of the building’s design and the energy it houses.

“What I love about the new brand is that it reflects Symphony Hall’s strong place as an iconic landmark in downtown Phoenix,” Harper said. “The logo and color palette pay homage to the venue’s 50-plus year history, while the facility upgrades keep our eyes firmly planted on the future. We can’t wait to welcome you to Symphony Hall this season!”