Discover Cadogan Hall
On Sloane Terrace, in the Chelsea area of London lies Cadogan Hall, a 950-seat concert hall contained within a century-old Byzantine-style building with a towering structure and stained glass windows. The hall’s origins as a Grade II listed church are a far cry from its current occupation as a music venue opened in 2004. Despite this it has become a leading concert hall in London. Today, Cadogan Hall hosts everything from classical and contemporary music and dance performances, to talks, debates, and conferences. It is also the proud home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), who celebrate their 20th anniversary at the venue this year (2024).
The Origins of Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall, originally designed by architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm, first opened its doors in 1907, as a Christian Science Church. The hall, characterised by its Byzantine Revival style, could accommodate congregations of up to 1,400 people. The building featured exquisite stained glass by Danish artist Arild Rosenkrantz and a three-manual pipe organ built by J.W. Walker & Sons Ltd., installed in 1911. The grandeur of its design and the spiritual ambiance made it a significant religious landmark in London.
The Decline of the Church at Cadogan Hall
By the mid-1990s, the congregation had significantly declined. In 1996, the church was prompted to relocate to a more modern building in London, when planning permission for renovations was denied. The historic hall fell into disuse and was at risk of decay. During this time, Mohamed Fayed, the then-owner of Harrods, acquired the property but was unable to convert it due to its listed status— the hall was placed on the National Heritage List for England in April 1969. The future of the building remained uncertain until 2000.
A New Beginning for Cadogan Hall
In 2000, Cadogan Estate saved the historic building. Their vision was to restore the hall to its former glory while giving it a new purpose. Through their connection with Opera Holland Park, Cadogan Estate discovered that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) was in search of a permanent London base. Recognising the opportunity to rejuvenate the hall and provide a home for the RPO, Cadogan Estate began their restoration project.
Becoming Cadogan Hall
In June 2004, Cadogan Hall reopened as a state-of-the-art concert venue. The conversion of the former church into a performance space required renovations to meet modern standards of comfort and facilities, as well as building and licensing regulations. Significant acoustic enhancements were made to the hall, including the installation of tuned resonator tubes on the ceiling and walls, as well as acoustic insulation to control sound breakout and performance acoustics.
New performance lighting and sound systems were installed, featuring computer-controlled theatrical lights capable of rotating, changing colours, and providing special effects for performances. A large screen for films and visual presentations was also added, allowing live performances to be relayed via satellite or the internet.
The original organ was carefully dismantled and eventually found a new home in Christ the King Catholic Church in Gothenburg, Sweden, while the organ casing and other integral parts of the hall's character were preserved and restored.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's residency at Cadogan Hall has shaped the venue’s identity. Offered the hall as its main venue by Cadogan Estates in late 2001, the RPO held its inaugural concert as the resident ensemble in November 2004 after the restorations were complete. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, the RPO continues to thrive at Cadogan Hall.
The hall's intimate design, with its steeply raked stalls and low gallery, ensures that every seat feels close to the performers and every guest has a clear view of the stage, making it ideal for performances and large gatherings. It is also renowned for its excellent acoustics and luxurious surroundings.
Other Performances and Events at Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall is not just a venue for classical music lovers. While it is the chosen venue for the world-famous BBC Proms Chamber Music Series, it also has a diverse lineup of contemporary jazz, folk music, world music and art rock performances. Significant events include recordings of Mozart symphonies by John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists, as well as concerts by the art rock band Marillion, whose live album "Live from Cadogan" was recorded here in 2009.
Beyond music Cadogan hosts spoken word performances, book launches, debates, and conferences. The hall's intimate setting is perfect for stand-up comedy, talks by fascinating speakers, and even ballet performances, offering audiences a chance to see dancers from prestigious companies like the Bolshoi for an affordable price. This eclectic mix of events ensures that there is always something that everyone can enjoy at Cadogan Hall.
Inside Cadogan Hall
Main Auditorium
Cadogan Hall's centrepiece, the main auditorium, is designed to accommodate up to 953 people; 561 in the stalls; 392 in the gallery. However, the hall retains 10 seats in the stalls and 28 seats in the gallery for its own use, reducing the number of seats available for sale to 915. The stage can accommodate up to 40 performers without impacting the overall seating capacity. For performances requiring more than 40 people on stage, the seating capacity is adjusted pro rata.
Breakout Rooms
Additionally, the hall offers several breakout rooms, including the main foyer and the Culford, Oakley, and Caversham Rooms. These spaces are versatile, suitable for cocktails, dining, product launches, trade exhibitions, and annual general meetings (AGMs).
The Culford Room is the largest, with a theatre-style capacity of 500, making it suitable for large meetings and presentations. For banqueting purposes, it can accommodate 120 guests, and for cocktail receptions, it can host up to 150 people.
The Caversham Room offers a more intimate setting, suitable for smaller gatherings with a theatre-style capacity of 70 and banqueting capacity of 40. It can also host 50 guests for cocktail receptions, making it a versatile choice for mid-sized events.
The Oakley Room (Bar) is ideal for smaller, more casual gatherings, with a theatre-style capacity of 50 and cocktail reception capacity of 30. This space provides a relaxed atmosphere for networking and social events.
Dining Near Cadogan Hall
On-Site Refreshments
Cadogan Hall has a broad selection of food and beverages for concert-goers. Using a cashless system, the hall's bars serve a variety of drinks, sandwiches, confectionery, and snacks. The Culford Room in the main foyer offers an expanded menu featuring champagnes, spirits, wines, beers, and soft drinks. The smaller Oakley Bar provides draught beer options.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy their purchases in the auditorium, although food consumption is restricted during performances, and glasses and bottles are not permitted inside the auditorium. For a sweet treat during concert intermissions, ice cream is available for purchase in the main foyer.
Local Dining Options
The perfect pre or post-concert meal can be enjoyed nearby, where there are a plethora of bars and restaurants. Some establishments include:
- Colbert: serving a classic Parisian café menu all day until late.
- The Botanist: an elegant dining experience with a modern European menu of seasonal dishes, grilled meats, and fish, alongside a popular weekend brunch.
- Côte Brasserie: a contemporary take on the classic Parisian brasserie, offering freshly prepared French food in a relaxed, all-day dining setting.
- Enoteca Turi: balancing gourmet dishes with a sophisticated atmosphere, using traditional Italian ingredients.
- Manicomio: a refined Italian dining experience in a stylish setting, perfect for a special meal before or after a concert.
- Le Chinois Restaurant and Bar: an upscale Chinese restaurant with an array of traditional and contemporary dishes.
- The Thomas Cubitt: a British gastropub set over three beautifully designed floors, which sources the best British meat and vegetables to deliver the perfect Sunday roast.
- Kahani: opposite Cadogan Hall, Kahani combines luxe interiors with high-class Indian cuisine.
- The Orange: a charming pub offering a relaxed atmosphere and a menu of British gastropub classics.
- Granger & Co., Chelsea: bringing Sydney-style dining to London, offering globally inspired dishes in a relaxed and elegant setting.
- Lórian Delicatessen: a vibrant, seasonal, vegetable-led menu is at the heart of this fresh and bright restaurant and deli.
Visiting Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall's lineup for the coming months is jam-packed with performances, from classical music and jazz to comedy and musical theatre. The venue also has on-site toilets, a gift shop, and a small café area.
How to Book
Booking tickets for events at Cadogan Hall is straightforward. You can purchase tickets online, via phone, or in person at the Box Office. If you've booked tickets for a group and arrive before the rest of your party, you can leave their tickets for collection at the Box Office.
Getting to Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall is conveniently located near Sloane Square tube station, making it easily accessible by public transport. When planning your visit, allow adequate time for travel as bag security searches may be in operation upon arrival.
Access Scheme
Cadogan Hall’s Access Scheme is designed to support visitors with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. By joining this free scheme, you can stay informed about offers and upcoming events tailored to your needs. Members of the Access Scheme may be eligible for concessionary ticket prices or a free companion seat, subject to availability. When booking, specify any access requirements such as wheelchair spaces or aisle seats to ensure your needs are accommodated.
Level Access
Cadogan Hall offers step-free access to the Box Office and foyer areas via an access lift. Assistance is available at the main entrance, and a lift provides access from street level to the Box Office’s lowered counter. The foyer, Oakley Bar, and adapted toilet facilities are all accessible. However, the Gallery seats are only reachable via a staircase with 27 steps. Those with significant mobility issues should opt for seats in the Stalls, where there are four designated spaces in Row R.
Hearing Support
The Box Office counter is equipped with a loop system for those with hearing aids. The auditorium features an infrared amplification system. Visitors using hearing aids should request a loop pendant and set their device to the 'T' position. If you don’t use a hearing aid, infrared headsets are available. These devices can be collected from the Cloakroom before the event.
Sight Impairment
Assistance dogs are welcome at Cadogan Hall. Notify the staff in advance to make any necessary arrangements, including providing water for your dog. You can also leave your assistance dog with the cloakroom staff during the performance if preferred. ‘Touch / Familiarisation’ tours are available on request.
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