Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles

Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles

Flying steel is the best way to describe the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. A cross between the Sydney Opera House and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the building opened in 2003 and instantly became one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Today it is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and serves as a popular concert venue.

A Little History

In 1987, Walt Disney's widow Lillian expressed a desire to invest $50 million in the construction of a concert hall that could adequately perpetuate the name of her late husband. By 1991, the construction project was ready, and soon its construction began. However, it was soon suspended due to a lack of funding - the modest first stage “ate” $110 million, half of which the Los Angeles municipality was forced to pay. Finally, in 2003, the necessary funds were found and the project was completed.

The unearthly structure of polished and brushed iron sheets caused a lot of noise - and not at all because of its unusual appearance. The fact is that the reflective ability of “stainless steel” did a disservice - it unbearably heated the sidewalks, so that pedestrians received burns, blinded drivers and shone into the windows of surrounding houses. As a result, the panels had to be sandblasted. But everyone liked the interiors of the concert hall unconditionally: the chief conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic enthusiastically reported that the orchestra now sounds exactly as one could imagine.

What to See

To get a good look at the concert hall, it is worth joining an organized tour. During the hour-long walk, your guide will take you through the gardens surrounding the building, describe its architectural features, and then invite you inside to explore the magnificent foyer, floors and interior decoration. But you can only go into the hall not always - during normal times there are rehearsals there, and access is closed to curious tourists.

Read Also: Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

Address and Opening Hours

Address: 111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.

Audio-guided tours are available any time from 10:00 to 14:00. Guided tours are available on selected days at 12:00 and 13:00. Their schedule can be found on the official website of the concert hall.