Stuttgart City Council adopts decision in principle for new concert hall

Stuttgart City Council has approved the construction of a new concert hall, a significant step forward for the project. The new venue, set to cost nearly 100 million euros, will offer a unique listening experience for around 1,000 music enthusiasts per concert.

The Konzertforum am Neckar project, supported by a cross-party majority, will be built on the site of a former sparkling wine cellar on the Neckar River in Bad Cannstatt, with completion expected by 2028. Of the total cost, 25 million euros will come from private donations and public funding, while the city will cover the remaining expenses.

This new concert hall will be the home of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra (SKO) and the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra. It will feature a main hall with approximately 1,000 seats, designed by specialists to provide top-notch acoustics. Additional facilities will include a multifunctional hall, a rehearsal hall, various catering options, administrative offices, and a publicly accessible roof garden. The venue's program will encompass classical music, jazz, pop, electro, and community events.

"We are delighted that Stuttgart has said ‘yes’ to the Konzertforum am Neckar," said SKO Director Markus Korselt. "The city is gaining a new music center and the people an exciting new music and meeting place."

Thomas Zehetmair, chief conductor of the SKO, emphasized the importance of the new venue: "As an artist, you can prepare meticulously, but the atmosphere of a fantastic hall adds a new dimension felt by both the audience and musicians. Examples from Amsterdam, Boston, and Berlin show how closely world-class orchestral culture is linked to the quality of the hall."