The renovation of the Seattle Opera House began for Schuler Shook in 1997. We collaborated with Seattle Center, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet and LMN Architects to develop an action plan that led to a successful tax referendum to finance the project. Six years later, the new Marion Oliver McCaw Hall opened in June 2003.

Schuler Shook was fully involved in design for the hall, including room planning, seating and sightlines, public circulation, room finishes, stage detailing, backstage circulation and accommodation, and the design and specification of the stage rigging, lighting, and orchestra pit lift equipment.

At each step of the design process, we worked in very close collaboration with the artists and technicians who now occupy the hall. The goal of our work was to meet the exacting needs of each company and address their unique requirements.