Exciting changes are coming to the Hobby Center! We’re making significant investments across our campus to create new spaces for gathering, enhance the places you already know and love, and give you even more ways to discover something new, connect with others, and be moved by the performing arts.
More Creativity. More Connection. More Possibilities
A New Third Performance Space at the Hobby Center
Get closer to the music, the artists, and the moments that move you.
We’re creating an intimate new performance venue that brings artists and audiences closer together. Building on the success of the Live at the Founders Club series, this permanent, purpose-built third performance venue will welcome even more jazz, Broadway favorites, world music, and unexpected discoveries. It will be the most intimate performing arts venue in the Houston Theater District, bringing a new kind of cultural and hospitality experience to the city.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- An Intimate Setting: With just 160 seats, the most intimate performing arts venue in the Houston Theater District offers a unique setting for hundreds of performances each year.
- A Closer Connection: Club-style seating and a new balcony surrounding three sides of the stage create an immersive experience that puts you right in the heart of the action.
- Spectacular Views: The stunning Houston skyline provides a memorable backdrop for every visit.
- Elevated Hospitality: A full bar, dining options, and service throughout performances bring a new level of hospitality to live entertainment.
- More to Discover: An exciting mix of musical genres and performances offers new ways to experience the performing arts.
Elevating the Spaces that Bring Us Together
We’re making the Hobby Center an even better place to gather with friends.
From reimagined lobbies and an improved box office to enhanced food and beverage offerings and new gathering spaces, we’re creating a more welcoming and enjoyable environment throughout the Hobby Center. We’re also introducing the Kades Club, a new hospitality lounge designed to bring donors, patrons, and community partners together to celebrate and support the performing arts.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Grand Lobby: A refreshed and more welcoming space to gather before and after performances.
- Zilkha Hall Lobby: A reimagined gathering area with enhanced amenities and hospitality offerings.
- Box Office: A new location and redesigned space to make ticketing and guest services more convenient.
- The Kades Club: A new hospitality lounge for donors, patrons, and community partners to gather, connect, and celebrate the performing arts.
Enhancing Our Performance Spaces
Technology and fittings in the Hobby Center’s showpiece Sarofim Hall have been upgraded for the first time in more than 20 years, with improvements in Zilkha Hall as well. Ensuring that performance spaces remain first-class allows the Hobby Center to continue to expand its programming, broaden access to the arts, and help the Houston arts ecosystem thrive.
Bringing Our Vision to Life
Don’t worry, the show will go on!
Performances and events will continue throughout construction. Work on our public spaces will begin in late 2026, with construction on the new performance venue starting in summer 2027. We expect all improvements to be complete by fall 2028.
We’re committed to making your visit as seamless as possible throughout construction.
You will receive helpful information ahead of performances, with important details about venue access and any construction-related activities that may affect your visit.
We’re working with a talented team of design and construction experts. Led by Gensler as architect and interior designer, Charcoalblue as theater consultant, and Forney Construction as construction manager and general contractor, the project will honor the Hobby Center’s iconic architecture.
Making A New Stage Possible
Big ideas become reality when people come together. A New Stage is made possible through the generosity, leadership, and commitment of individuals and organizations who believe in the future of the performing arts in Houston.
Project Partners
