Who is responsible for maintaining the quality of the place?

The Theater St. Gallen is listed in the Register of Monuments, Ensembles and Archaeological Sites of National Importance. In 2009, ownership of the building was transferred from the city to the Canton of St. Gallen. The Canton makes the premises available to a cooperative society, the Genossenschaft Konzert und Theater St. Gallen, which operates a multi-genre theatre on behalf of the canton, with performances in the main building and in a nearby former locomotive roundhouse, the Lokremise, as well as music performances in an adjacent concert hall, the Tonhalle.

Does the place serve its purpose?

Since the building’s completion in 1969, the Theater St. Gallen has been a popular cultural institution whose reputation extends into neighbouring countries. But 50 years of intensive use have taken their toll. In 2014, the cantonal building department therefore launched a planner selection process, which was won by Gähler Flühler Fankhauser Architekten of St. Gallen. In March 2018, citizens voted in favour of the proposal to renovate and expand the theatre. After three years of construction, the theatre was restored to its former glory in the autumn of 2023.

Does the place foster sustainable mobility?

The expansion of subscriptions to include discounted tickets and additional offers – especially for young people under the age of 30 – supports the canton’s efforts to make culture accessible to everyone. In addition, since the reopening of the renovated theatre, all theatre and concert tickets now also double as train or bus tickets in the Ostwind fare network as well as in Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein.

Will the place remain attractive in the long term for living, working, leisure and/or tourism?

Before the expansion, the theatre’s operations, which had grown over the years, had reached their limits. Some of the workshops lacked daylight or changing rooms for women. The renovation and expansion of the backstage area has, above all, provided modern working conditions for the staff. The modernisation of the technical infrastructure has also made it possible to present contemporary theatre formats. The theatre makes an important contribution to the charisma and attractiveness of the city.

Does the place bring different people together?

The Theater St. Gallen caters for audiences who appreciate spoken theatre, operas, musicals and dance productions. Thanks to its varied programme and a wide range of educational activities for children, young people and adults, it is a popular meeting place. With over 20 new productions and around 470 performances each year, the theatre is also an important employer. It is a place where permanent employees and freelance artists come together, one season after the next.

Are the built heritage and regional specificities preserved and harnessed?

The design of the theatre was the result of an architectural competition held in 1961 and won by the Zurich architectural firm of Cramer Jaray Paillard. Their scheme was a concrete sculpture made up of hexagons pushed together and stacked on the edge of the historic park. The new 700-square-metre extension to the north-west corner of the theatre is barely noticeable. It echoes the language of the listed building without drawing attention to itself.

Is the place notable for its distinctiveness?

The theatre building is located at the southern end of the city park, among many old buildings and directly next to both the Tonhalle concert hall and the art museum. The cultural museum is also located at the other end of the park. Embedded within this historic setting, the theatre sets a modern, sculptural accent. The concrete building, with its large glass façade overlooking the park and its prestigious interiors, is an icon of Swiss architecture that is recognised far beyond the country’s borders.

Does the place’s beauty contribute to people’s well-being?

Theatre patrons enter the multi-genre venue after crossing a spacious square. The welcoming canopy overhead has been restored to its original design for the competition. From the cloakroom, theatre-goers continue into the foyer, which leads via several staircases and corridors to the various entrances into the theatre auditorium. The promenade through the building leads past alcoves and other places that invite people not only to linger, but also to see and be seen. As part of the renovation, the chandeliers, furniture and fixtures were refurbished to restore the foyer to its original splendour.