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Setting the Stage for the Future of Heinz Hall
Very few of the world’s orchestras are privileged to own their facilities. The PSO is proud to own Heinz Hall, one of Pittsburgh’s architectural jewels and a recognized historic landmark. Beginning life as the Loew’s Penn Theater, Heinz Hall was renovated and dedicated in 1971. Since that time, this cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District has played host to more than 500,000 patrons annually.
But prudent ownership mandates care. The last major renovation of this extraordinarily busy building took place in 1995, and no major repairs have occurred since then. Like any structure, continual improvements are required, but often they are costly and sometimes they are unforeseeable.
Care of Heinz Hall is necessary for responsible maintenance of a landmark building and for important revenue purposes, as well. Today, the PSO needs to replace leaking roofs, repair cracked sidewalks, replace eroded recognition bricks, acquire a high-quality sound system, update rigging equipment, and improve backstage facilities. The PSO receives more than a half a million dollars per year in rental and facility fees from touring groups that demand state-of-the-art venues in which to perform. Without Improvements, Heinz Hall will be a less competitive performance space and this income will be in jeopardy. The Campaign seeks to raise $10 million for capital improvements to Heinz Hall.
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