Koningin Elisabethzaal

Koningin Elisabethzaal brings concerts, congresses and special events to Antwerp’s Elisabeth Center, near the city’s Central Station. The hall accommodates between 1,850 and 2,000 people, depending on its arrangement. Antwerp Symphony Orchestra uses this accessible venue for concerts and recordings, with Elim Chan and Philippe Herreweghe among its conductors.

Concert life began here in 1897, when Émile Thielens designed the Grote Feestzaal for dance and symphonic performances. War damage and a fire destroyed that first building in 1947. Rie Haan’s replacement opened in 1960, before the current hall opened in 2016 after a collaboration between teams from Manchester, Chicago and Antwerp. Its shoebox shape, movable ceiling reflectors and oak panels filled with lava sand support the acoustics, which consultants rated 9.3 out of 10.

Twelve movable stage sections help the hall change quickly between productions. Seventy seats behind the stage can hold a choir, accommodate visitors or disappear to enlarge the performance area. Step-free foyer access, lifts and clear views from every seat make the space practical for varied audiences.