August 26, 2004 -- Today marks the completion of the rejuvenation of Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Houston’s most versatile performing arts venue since 1966.

“Jones Hall is a symbol of the very best of Houston: built with private foundation money to honor one of our most prominent 20th century leaders and volunteers, then gifted to the citizens of Houston,” remarked Mayor Bill White.

Restoration work was begun after some pieces of the beautiful travertine marble façade fell in the summer of 2001. The building’s architecture, engineering and construction underwent extensive review and design. Repairs included asbestos abatement and façade restoration and replacement. Previous work included repair of damage from Tropical Storm Allison and upgrades of mechanical systems inside Jones Hall.

Mayor Bill White and Houston Symphony president Ed Wulfe
look on as workers install the final piece of marble in the
Jones Hall exterior renovation project.

“The extreme complexity of this challenge demanded a team effort. We are very proud of the work we have accomplished together to restore this significant architectural and performing arts monument for Houston’s future,” said Dawn Ullrich, Director of the City’s Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department.

A monument to the memory of Jesse Holman Jones, former Secretary of Commerce and founder of the Houston Endowment, Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony and the Society for the Performing Arts (S.P.A.). The unique moveable hexagons in the ceiling enable the interior of the auditorium’s acoustics to adapt for either 1,800 seats or 3,000 seats in the same space. Millions of arts patrons have enjoyed opera, musical, stage and dance performances at the theater.

“The many diverse performers and audience members of Society for the Performing Arts appreciate the rehearsal and performance schedule accommodations made during repair and reconstruction,” remarked Tom Glanville, President of S.P.A. “It is important to note that not a single performance was postponed or cancelled in the three years of restoration efforts.”

Festivities for this outdoor ceremony included comments from Mayor Bill White, Ed Wulfe of the Houston Symphony Society and Tom Glanville. Two performing artists representing these primary tenants also took part in the program. Brad White, a trombonist with the Houston Symphony, set his hands in a clay mold while Erica Lewis, a modern dance student at the University of Houston, positioned her feet in another mold. Casts from these molds will be placed on permanent display at Jones Hall.

Houston Symphony Society President Ed Wulfe noted, “People around the world enjoy the music of the Houston Symphony. Now we’d like to invite the world here, to enjoy our home in Houston’s magnificently restored Jones Hall.”

Jones Hall is located at 615 Louisiana Street in downtown Houston and is managed by the City of Houston’s Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department, Dawn Ullrich, Director.