A New Icon for Polish Music
The long-held dream of Sinfonia Varsovia to establish a permanent, world-class home is moving closer to reality. On May 13, the acclaimed Warsaw-based symphony orchestra announced a tender for the general contractor of its landmark project: the construction of what will become the largest concert hall in Poland, set for completion by 2030. The deadline for submitting applications to participate in the tender is June 30, 2025.
The Vision: A Cultural Anchor for Warsaw
In 2010, the city held an international architectural competition to redevelop the historic site at Grochowska Street 272, where Sinfonia Varsovia is based. The winning design, created by Atelier Thomas Pucher from Graz, Austria, envisions a dynamic music center anchored by a spectacular new concert hall.
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In 2019, the project received construction approval, and in 2023, work began on the first phase, focusing on the restoration of three historical buildings. With the second and most ambitious phase now underway, the vision is expanding: a concert hall for 1,877 guests, educational spaces, rehearsal rooms, a chamber hall, a public rooftop promenade, cafés, gardens, and cultural programming that will place Sinfonia Varsovia among Europe’s top cultural destinations.
A New Era of Polish Concert Architecture
At the heart of this second stage lies the creation of Poland’s largest concert hall. Designed in close collaboration with leading acoustics firms Müller-BBM (Berlin) and Eckhard Kahle Acoustics (Brussels), the main hall will blend two architectural typologies: the classical shoebox and the more contemporary vineyard style. Concentric, undulating balconies will surround a central stage set one level below ground, offering both intimacy and grandeur.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls will encase the auditorium, making it visibly open to the city from a surrounding panoramic foyer. The spacious interior will remain freely accessible, encouraging both concertgoers and casual visitors to explore the building. Alongside the main hall, the center will also include a 400-seat chamber hall, rehearsal studios, artist facilities, and technical infrastructure.
A rooftop promenade suspended 21 meters above ground will offer sweeping views of Warsaw’s skyline and nearby parklands, symbolizing the project’s blend of cultural elevation and civic openness.
Integrating History with Modern Design
The new building will incorporate two renovated historic side wings, which will be respectfully restored and seamlessly integrated into the architectural ensemble. This gesture not only anchors the development in Warsaw’s past, but also creates a rich dialogue between heritage and innovation.
Already Resonating by 2026
While the full concert hall is slated to open in 2030, the first phase of the redevelopment will be completed by late 2025 or early 2026. Visitors will soon be welcomed into newly restored venues within the Palace, the Western Pavilion, and the Music Pavilion—all located along Grochowska Street. These intimate spaces will host chamber music concerts and educational programs as Sinfonia Varsovia gradually ramps up toward its full-season format.
In the interim years, the programming will focus on chamber performances, youth outreach, and cultural education, laying a strong foundation for the center’s future identity.
About Sinfonia Varsovia
Sinfonia Varsovia is a cultural institution under the City of Warsaw, recognized internationally for its artistic excellence. Its symphony orchestra performs classical and contemporary works at the highest level, while the institution also serves a wide public through outreach concerts, educational workshops, and community programming.
Highlights include Smykofonia na Grochowskiej, Poranki ze Smokiem Bazylkiem, and the beloved Potańcówki, which invite people of all ages to experience music in engaging formats. Sinfonia Varsovia is also behind two of Warsaw’s most important music festivals: La Folle Journée de Varsovie and the Franciszek Wybrańczyk Festival.
Since 2012, the institution has run the Sinfonia Varsovia Academy, nurturing the next generation of orchestral musicians through professional training and mentorship.
With its bold new home, Sinfonia Varsovia is not just expanding its footprint—it’s redefining what a 21st-century music institution can be: open, ambitious, and deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of its city.
