Last weekend, signs around Cincinnati read “Hello Gorgeous!” as the city celebrated the newly renovated Music Hall.

Tourists and locals alike were abuzz with excitement over the re-opening of this important community asset. Thousands attended the Friday night concert and the community festival on Saturday, showing their deep love for this 1878 icon. And local partners put on quite a show for them complete with tours of the renovation, live performances, and a delicious recreation of Music Hall in the form of a cake.

Some of the highlights of the renovation were mentioned in the press release published by 3CDC:

• Originally built in 1878, the National Historic Landmark had been in dire need of significant functional upgrades for decades. In 2014, Music Hall was included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. With the reopening of the building today, the Hall can officially be considered “saved.”
• “Music Hall has come a long way in a short time,” said Jennifer Sandy, senior field officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “When we named Music Hall, along with Union Terminal, one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, it had reached a critical point where it needed substantial reinvestment. Thanks to the hard work and determination of this community, Music Hall has been beautifully restored and will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
• The renovation touched every area of the 139-year-old iconic structure, making it the first comprehensive update of the building in more than 40 years. Much care was taken to preserve and restore the historical aspects of Music Hall, while simultaneously blending in modern upgrades and amenities.
• Features of the renovated Hall include new seating in Springer Auditorium; additional restrooms, new elevators and concession areas; a larger stage which extends farther into the auditorium; and much more.
• While countless historical details were restored, the greatest changes can be seen inside Corbett Tower, where a drop ceiling was removed to reveal an additional 14 feet above. The vaulted ceiling featured an intricate stenciling pattern that has been carefully recreated, and formerly bricked-over windows have been opened to provide stunning views of Washington Park across the street. In addition, brick staining on the building’s façade has returned the Hall’s exterior closer to its original appearance.

For more information on Music Hall, you can read the entire press release here. And if you are local to Cincinnati, we recommend you stop by Music Hall and see it for yourself!