The theater spent the first 40 years of its existence as a stage for live vaudeville performances as well as motion pictures.

The St. Louis Symphony announced in January 2023 that Powell Hall will see the start of a major revitalization project in spring 2023, the first since 1968.

“We will preserve the history of Powell Hall while creating a state-of-the-art center for community, innovation, and powerful music experiences," SLSO President and CEO Marie-Hélène Bernard said in a statement.

While the venue undergoes construction, the SLSO said it will embrace the opportunity to engage new audiences with musical experiences throughout the community.

[4] SLSO leaders announced on September 18, 2024 that the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s expansion wing will be named the Jack C. Taylor Music Center.

The renovation and expansion includes new seats for the concert hall, which will see a reduction in capacity by about 500, though the new capacity of 2,150 will keep the venue in line with those of similarly sized orchestras in the U.S. A 3,400-square-foot extension on space previously occupied by a parking lot will include room for education programs and lectures, rehearsal space for the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus.