Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent received for Sinfonia Smith Square
Westminster City Council has approved plans for an ambitious restoration and remodelling of the Grade I Listed Sinfonia Smith Square. It will safeguard the Hall’s future, realise a bold new artistic vision, and ensure that its doors can stay open for future generations to come, inviting new audiences, stories, and possibilities within its walls.
For over 300 years, Smith Square Hall has stood in the heart of Westminster as a beacon of history and culture. Today, the Hall is a thriving concert and events venue, welcoming over 50,000 people through its doors each year. However, this remarkable building is now on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register and is in urgent need of repair and renewal to protect its future.
Sinfonia Smith Square is the coming together of two much-loved organisations: Southbank Sinfonia and St John’s Smith Square. At its heart is an ambitious Fellowship programme to develop the musical careers of some of the brightest emerging talent, and for its home to host exceptional performances by established world-class artists and immersive music experiences.
“Planning and listed building consent for Doors Open marks a decisive moment for Smith Square Hall. By restoring this extraordinary building, introducing 21st-century performance capabilities, and creating a new Learning Studio, we will open the Hall to the families, schools and communities on our doorstep who have never had access to the music and education it can offer. This secures the future of a historic landmark - and an exciting musical future for our neighbours across Westminster and beyond.”
Rosie Fraser, Chief Executive, Sinfonia Smith Square
The Doors Open project has three objectives: to repair the building, transform it into a centre of artistic excellence and educational outreach, and secure a sustainable future. Following a development phase grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Burrell Foley Fischer have worked with Sinfonia Smith Square to develop the designs that have now been approved.
Key enhancements include:
A refreshed hall with new flexible staging, removable raked seating, and upgraded lighting, sound, heating, and ventilation systems.
A restored and redesigned crypt, including a new versatile learning studio to expand education programmes within the local community.
Improved accessibility for all, ensuring there are no physical barriers to entry
Repairs to the historic fabric of the building
Improved facilities for musicians and guest artists, including a new artists’ well-being hub.
Installing renewable energy technologies, including photovoltaic panels and an Air Source Heat Pump, and removing gas from the building. This will reduce carbon emissions by 50% from the 2025 baseline data.