Waterfront Hall
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| Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Studio: 330 Auditorium: 2,250 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1999 |
| Opened | 2001 |
The Waterfront Hall is a concert hall and exhibition centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed by local architects' firm Robinson McIlwaine. Practice partner Peter McGukin was the project architect.
The hall is located in Lanyon Place, the flagship development of the Laganside Corporation. The development is named after the architect Charles Lanyon. Planning for the building began 1989, with the hall being completed in 1997 for the sum of £32 million. The main circular Auditorium seats 2,241 and is based on the Berlin Philharmonic Hall designed by Hans Scharoun. However the flexible design of the Auditorium allows the stalls seating to be moved to create a larger arena. The smaller adjoining Studio seats 380. The dome of the building is coated in copper. This is so the exterior will eventually turn green and reflect the dome of Belfast City Hall and other Victorian buildings in the city centre. The building also contains bars and a restaurant.
In 2002, the hall was voted the second best conference centre in the world in the Apex Awards.[citation needed] A 2006 socio-economic impact study commissioned by Belfast City Council found that the hall had generated £10 for the city for every £1 spent on operational costs.[citation needed]
Notable events
Many plays take place every year, in the 350 seated capacity studio, including operas, pantomimes and musicals, including Scary Musical Jan 2010.
The hall is a key venue for the Belfast Festival at Queen's and for concerts given by the Ulster Orchestra.
Artists that have performed at the auditorium include Atomic Kitten, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Blur, James Brown, Girls Aloud, Charlie Landsborough, Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. , Mel C, Mika, Dannii Minogue, James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, Paul Potts, Charley Pride, The Script, Snow Patrol, Status Quo, Sting, Sugababes and Will Young, among others.
During their 2002 tour, in promotion of their album Right Now, famous pop trio Atomic Kitten recorded their Right Here, Right Now DVD at the auditorium.
External links
54°35′51″N 5°55′13″W / 54.59750°N 5.92028°W
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