Walt Disney Concert Hall rises from Bunker Hill at 111 S Grand Ave in downtown Los Angeles. Its curved stainless-steel sails, designed by Frank Gehry, have made it one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Opened in 2003 with a $50 million founding gift from Lillian Disney, it is the home of the LA Philharmonic. People come here for both the architecture and the sound (source: Music Center).
Inside, the auditorium seats about 2,265 people in “vineyard” terraces that wrap around the stage. The warm Douglas fir surfaces were tuned by acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, and listeners in nearly every seat hear remarkably clear, detailed sound. Above the stage, the organ’s splayed wooden pipes, nicknamed “French fries,” draw as much attention as the musicians. Outside, stairways climb to the rooftop Blue Ribbon Garden, where a rose-shaped fountain of broken Delft porcelain honors Lillian Disney. The steel curves frame skyline views from the garden (source: Wikipedia).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Free self-guided audio tours usually run on weekday mornings, when crowds are thinnest. Rehearsals and events can change the schedule, so check the LA Phil visitor page before you go. The LA Phil’s main season runs from fall through spring, and popular programs sell out, so book early. Take Metro to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station, which is steps from the hall. Afterward, walk to The Broad, MOCA, or Grand Park, all within a few blocks.
