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The Grade I-listed Royal Festival Hall, the first significant public building constructed after the Second World War, has long held a special place in public affection. The culmination of 15 years’ design work, its renovation has restored its original glory and also lifted it firmly into the 21st century.
The majestic foyers have been recovered, with the removal of the accumulated clutter of five decades, replacement of carpets, reintroduction of the original strong colours on the walls and new lighting. The acoustic levels of the auditorium have been raised to new standards. The roof terraces are once again in public use and two glass pavilions are now used throughout the year, and a new glass scenic lift gives, for the first time, access from the Waterloo entrance to all levels of the building.
The new riverfront is now even more popular, bringing back to the Southbank much of the spirit of the 1951 Festival of Britain.
It has been success all round – with praise by musicians for the quality of the acoustics, hugely positive media coverage and some 250,000 visitors on the re-opening weekend.
"The Royal Festival Hall has always had its doors open; now, passionately restored, it once again offers a ravishing internal public space."