Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie combines the base of a brick warehouse with a glass tower that lifts steel and concrete 110 meters (360 feet) above the city. The upper section forms a wave-like profile visible from a distance, reshaping the harbor skyline and anchoring the district around it.

The site held a cargo warehouse from 1963 onward, storing cocoa and tobacco until the city decided to repurpose the building. Conversion work began in 2007 and stretched over ten years before the hall opened with its first concerts in January 2017.

People from across the city gather in the main hall to hear symphony orchestras, jazz ensembles, or contemporary composers perform live. The smaller stage draws audiences who prefer chamber music or experimental sounds, and both venues now shape the rhythm of cultural life in Hamburg.

A public plaza at 37 meters (121 feet) above street level lets anyone walk onto the terrace and look out over the harbor and rooftops. A long escalator carries visitors up to the platform, and on clear days it is worth spending some time there to take in the view.

Inside the main stage, more than 10000 individually shaped panels made from gypsum fiber were custom designed to spread sound evenly throughout the space. These elements hang from walls and ceiling, ensuring that every seat in the hall benefits from balanced acoustics.

Location: Hamburg-Mitte

Inception: 1963

Architects: Herzog & de Meuron, Werner Kallmorgen

Official opening: January 11, 2017

Floors above the ground: 26

Elevators: 29

Height: 110 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Made from material: reinforced concrete, glass, steel, concrete

Operator: Stadt Hamburg

Address: Platz der Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457 Hamburg

Phone: +49403576660

Website: https://elbphilharmonie.de

GPS coordinates: 53.54142,9.98419

Latest update: December 3, 2025 07:43