It is a cultural centre, a venue for concerts, banquets and meetings.

[1][2] The concert hall was built between 1906 and 1909, in Art Nouveau style.

The innovative construction used a reinforced concrete frame designed by Robert Maillart.

[1] Early concerts were given by guest orchestras, with conductors Artur Nikisch, Richard Strauss, Felix Weingartner and Arturo Toscanini.

[1][3] The building was renovated in the early 1990s, with a larger stage and improved facilities for conductor and artists, and reopened in May 1993.