What is Marion Oliver McCaw Hall known for?

It is a premier performing arts venue in Seattle, Washington, located on the Seattle Center grounds. Its principal tenants are the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, who together present approximately 150 performances there annually.

What are the facilities at McCaw Hall?

The 295,000-square-foot facility includes the 2,900-seat Susan Brotman Auditorium, a lecture hall (cited as 380 to 400 seats), a café, special function rooms, a five-story serpentine glass wall, and a 17,800-square-foot public plaza called the Kreielsheimer Promenade.

What is the history of the venue?

Formerly known as the Civic Auditorium (built in 1928) and the Seattle Opera House, the venue underwent a $127 million renovation and opened as McCaw Hall in June 2003. It is named for Marion Oliver McCaw following a $20 million donation from her four sons.

McCaw Hall is located at 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109, on the grounds of the Seattle Center.

How do I get tickets or support for a show?

For Ballet or Opera performances, visitors should contact their respective box offices directly. For all other shows, visitors are directed to contact the venue via its online form.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall

A premier performing arts venue at Seattle Center, home to the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, featuring a luminous five-story glass wall and a grand public plaza.

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What to know

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is a premier performing arts venue located on the grounds of the Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington. The facility is owned by the City of Seattle and serves as the home for its two principal tenants, the Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Together, these world-class resident companies present approximately 150 performances each year, making it a central hub for the region's high arts. The current structure is the result of a $127 million renovation of the former Seattle Opera House, which officially opened in June 2003 following a groundbreaking on January 17, 2002. The venue is named for Marion Oliver McCaw, whose four sons provided a $20 million donation to fund this major renovation. Before this transformation, the site was known as the Civic Auditorium, which was built in 1928 and earned the nickname "The House that Suds Built" due to a $20,000 gift from a local saloonkeeper. Architecturally, the 295,000-square-foot facility is defined by its luminous five-story serpentine glass wall and the Kreielsheimer Promenade, a 17,800-square-foot public plaza that serves as a gateway to both the hall and the wider Seattle Center campus. Inside, the venue features the state-of-the-art 2,900-seat Susan Brotman Auditorium, the 380-seat Nesholm Family Lecture Hall, and a Prelude Café for guests to enjoy between acts.

Visitor tips

Visit the Kreielsheimer Promenade plaza for a great view of the building's serpentine glass wall.
Check the official events calendar online to see if the Seattle Opera or Pacific Northwest Ballet are performing.
If attending a ballet or opera show, contact their specific box office directly for the fastest ticketing support.

Nearby context

Situated within the Seattle Center campus, McCaw Hall stands as a cultural anchor alongside other major arts and entertainment venues, providing a grand entrance to the campus via its public plaza.

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