London concert hall gets ‘transformational’ heritage grant
OrchestrasThe National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded an initial £452,035 to raise the former Georgian church on Smith Square, built in 1728, to international concerthall standard.
The project aims to repair the historic fabric of the building, improve accessibility, expand facilities for players and guest artists and create outstanding experiences for audiences and visitors through upgraded lighting, sound, heating, and ventilation systems. In line with Sinfonia Smith Square’s ambition to become carbon neutral, the project will install renewable energy technologies throughout the building.
Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, We are delighted to give our initial support to transform Sinfonia Smith Square Hall into a dynamic cultural hub for the community. This Grade I listed building has seen many uses over its long history, most recently as a concert hall and new home of Southbank Sinfonia. As the UK’s largest funder of heritage, we need to support these historic buildings in adapting and regenerating and this project is a great example of this. We look forward to working with the team to progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.
I was there for the recent Mahler 7th by the Salomon Orchestra. It is extremely small, guessing no more 500 chairs. Wiki calls a “major” concert hall. More like a chamber venue.
It was a church, not a cathedral, but is in a very busy part of Westminster and easy to get to for lunchtime concerts for those working in the area. I heard a very good Messiah there in 2004 with Emma Kirkby and Polyphony and a superb trumpet soloist.
The Southbank Sinfonia seems a misnomer for the location.
Pointless rebrand. I’ll never stop thinking of it as St John’s Smith Square.