The cranes are busy hacking away at the hulk of the former McKnight Theatre at St. Paul's Ordway Center.
The demolition is to make room for an acoustically-stellar 1,100-seat concert hall designed by architect Tim Carl and slated to open in spring 2015. The hall, intended to be the primary home of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, will continue the vision of original architect Ben Thompson, with the use of similar construction materials and with a continuation of the Ordway's famous glass facade.
When it opens, the concert hall will give Ordway patrons a 270-degree view of downtown St. Paul.
The new concert hall is part of a $79 million campaign that includes endowment funds and capital construction costs.
