Northrop Auditorium

Northrop Auditorium is a performance venue on the University of Minnesota campus featuring a main concert hall and additional spaces for various events. The building combines a central auditorium with adjoining lobbies and smaller halls designed to host everything from large orchestral performances to intimate lectures.

The building was designed and opened in 1929 by architect Clarence H. Johnston Sr. and the firm Hammel, Green and Abrahamson as part of the university's campus expansion. A major renovation in later decades preserved its original Beaux Arts exterior while updating the interior for contemporary use.

The venue has served as a gathering place for dance, theater, and music performances rooted in the university's artistic mission. Today visitors encounter a mix of student productions, visiting performers, and classical concerts that shape campus cultural life.

The venue sits centrally on campus with nearby parking options accessible to visitors. Plan extra time to navigate the building's layout and locate your specific entrance or seating area.

During renovation the main concert hall was made smaller to improve sound quality and listening experience. This internal change is barely noticeable from outside but significantly affects how sound travels through the space.

Location: Minneapolis

Architects: Clarence H. Johnston, Sr., Hammel, Green and Abrahamson

Official opening: 1929

GPS coordinates: 44.97640,-93.23540

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:01