One of the most distinctive edifices in the downtown Houston landscape, Jones Hall is a beloved landmark to generations of Houston concert-goers, and a landmark worth preserving. Over the past two summers, this cherished theater has been undergoing extensive renovations. And there’s much more to come.
Jones Hall’s iconic exterior profile remains intact, while the interior is being redesigned to significantly enhance the concert-going experience. The recently installed vertical aisles and the already dramatically improved acoustics are just the beginning.
Further substantial enhancement of acoustics in the hall are planned, to give you the best, most natural, and excellent audial experience of your Houston Symphony in concert.
By the time we open the 2023–24 Season, there will be new seats in the auditorium, a new orchestra shell, and a sizeable increase to the number of bathroom facilities on the Hall’s courtyard level. Future changes will reconfigure the lobby to create more spaces for patrons to enjoy Jones Hall, including expansion and enhancement of the green room. Restroom access will be improved, with a new, wider staircase that goes directly from the Louisiana Street lobby to the courtyard men’s and women’s lounges.
Also to come are technical and infrastructure renovations backstage, including new, modernized stage automation control, and the introduction of fiber networks, ushering in a new era for Jones Hall of state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities for broadcasting, livestreaming, and stage effects.
ADA improvements to the auditorium and to the Texas Avenue entrance will make the Hall more accessible than it has ever been, including more seats for those in wheelchairs, improved cross-hall access, and more access points from Texas Avenue to reduce elevator usage.
Jones Hall will be better than ever when it celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026, a world-class venue for your great Houston Symphony and for all of our city to enjoy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these improvements.
Jones Hall Renovation FAQs
What updates will I notice first?
- At the start of our 2023–24 Season in September, patrons can look forward to brand new seats, along with an increase to the number of restroom facilities on the courtyard level
- If you’ve been to a Symphony concert this season, you may have noticed that vertical aisles have already been added to the auditorium, making it easier to get to your seat
- Acoustic updates have also been made, and further substantial enhancements are planned
What other changes can I expect?
Future updates include:
- Reconfiguration of the lobby to create more open spaces for patrons to enjoy Jones Hall
- Expansion and enhancement of the green room
- Easier access to restrooms and widened stairs to the lower level
- State-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities
- Accessibility improvements to the auditorium and the Texas Avenue entrance
What’s the timeline?
New seats will be installed this summer, and will be ready when we open the season in September, 2023. Further renovations will be carried out in the summers of 2024 and 2025. The majority of renovation work will be done during summers to cause minimal disruption to your concert experience from September to May.
New Seats, New Numbers
The new auditorium seats will use a new numbering system for the orchestra level. On the Louisiana Street side, all seats will have odd numbers. On the Texas Avenue side, all seats will have even numbers. In the center-orchestra section, seating will start with number 101.
Thank you to our donors
We are grateful to the generous donors who have contributed $34,250,000 to date toward our $60 million goal.
$1 Million and More
An Anonymous Friend of Jones Hall
The City of Houston / Houston First Corporation
The Robert and Jane Cizik Family
Janet F. Clark
ConocoPhillips
The Cullen Foundation
Nancy and Charles Davidson
The Elkins Foundation
Houston Endowment
Barbara and Pat McCelvey
The Shirley and David Toomim Family
The Wortham Foundation, Inc.
$100,000 to $1 Million
Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks
Beverly and James Postl
Vivian L. Smith Foundation
Support the renovation:
If you are interested in supporting the renovation of Jones Hall, please contact Christine Ann Stevens at 713.337.8521 or Kimberly Sterling at 713.807.8661.
Patrons will have the opportunity to sponsor new seats in the auditorium, with season ticket holders receiving given priority. More information will be announced in 2024.
A note for our renewing Classical, Bank of America POPS, and PNC Family Series subscribers:
Due to the numbering change, the seating assignment on your renewal form may look different, but rest assured that it’s the same physical location. In a few cases, we may need to shift your location slightly due to a reduced number of seats; if this happens, you will receive a phone call from our Patron Services Center.