Building History | Carnegie Hall

History of the Hall

Building History
1887 Andrew Carnegie meets Walter Damrosch
Andrew Carnegie expresses interest in backing the construction of a new concert hall for New York City.

1890 The cornerstone is cemented into place
The cornerstone of the new music hall is ceremonially cemented into place.

1891 Andrew Carnegie’s new Music Hall opens
Andrew Carnegie’s new Music Hall opens with a five-day music festival beginning on May 5.

1894 The original building is altered
The original building is altered through the first of two additions of artists’ studios, which are intended to provide extra income for the building.

1896 A second round of additions
The Music Hall board announces a second round of additions to the building.

1925 Mrs. Carnegie sells Carnegie Hall
Mrs. Carnegie sells Carnegie Hall to real estate developer Robert E. Simon.

1960 Carnegie Hall is saved from demolition
The City of New York purchases Carnegie Hall to rescue it from demolition.

1986 Full interior renovation completed
An extensive project that began in 1983 culminates in a full interior renovation of Carnegie Hall.

2003 Zankel Hall opens
Zankel Hall opens in September with a three-week festival featuring classical, jazz, pop, and world music events.

2011 Studio Towers renovation project
Carnegie Hall begins renovations that will expand and improve the backstage areas and create new spaces devoted to music education.

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