Queen Elizabeth Hall

Queen Elizabeth Hall is a concert hall in the South Bank district of central London, forming part of the Southbank Centre arts complex. Its raw concrete facade and angular forms clearly express the brutalist design principles widespread during the 1960s.

The hall opened in 1967 as part of a project to reshape the riverside area after the Second World War. It formed one element of a broader urban vision to transform the Thames waterfront into a center for arts and culture.

The building takes its name from Queen Elizabeth II and displays exposed concrete interiors that reflect the design thinking of its era. Visitors today attend performances that span chamber music, contemporary compositions, jazz, and world music.

The auditorium holds around 1,000 seats arranged so that the stage is visible from every position. Arriving early helps secure a seat closer to the stage.

The space was built using specialized acoustic techniques that distribute sound evenly without the need for electronic amplification. This design allows even subtle musical details to be heard clearly from the back rows.

Location: London Borough of Lambeth

Architectural style: brutalist architecture

Part of: Southbank Centre

Website: http://southbankcentre.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.50667,-0.11636

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28