Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

The Nottingham Royal Concert Hall is one of the city's premier cultural venues and a striking modern landmark in the heart of Nottingham City Centre. Located next to the historic Theatre Royal as part of the Royal Centre complex, the hall stands on the former site of the Empire Palace of Varieties, a late 19th-century theatre by architect Frank Matcham. After the Empire's closure in 1958 and eventual demolition in 1969, the current hall rose in its place-designed by the Renton Howard Wood Levin Partnership and completed in 1982.

Commissioned by Nottingham City Council, the venue was conceived as a state-of-the-art auditorium, with seating for up to 2,499 guests across multiple levels. It officially opened in November 1982 with a performance by Elton John. Since then, it has hosted an impressive array of world-class performers-from classical soloists and orchestras to pop icons, comedians, and touring productions.

The concert hall is known for its carefully engineered acoustics. A 38-tonne adjustable canopy above the stage can be repositioned to suit different performance needs, from intimate chamber music to full-scale rock shows. The raked seating spans three main levels-Stalls, Tier 1, and Tier 2-with additional Boxes and Choir Stalls sometimes made available, depending on the event.

Its glass façade plays with light and reflection by day, mirroring the surrounding urban landscape; at night, it transforms into a glowing showcase of audiences gathering inside. The Royal Concert Hall is served by the Royal Centre tram stop, making it easily accessible via Nottingham Express Transit. Today, it remains a key hub in the city’s cultural life, admired for its architectural flair, acoustic excellence, and diverse program.