The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, also known as The Conrad, is a concert hall in La Jolla, a community of San Diego, California. It was opened in April 2019 and serves as the permanent residence of the La Jolla Music Society.
The Conrad | |
 Interior of the Baker-Baum Concert Hall | |
 | |
| Location | La Jolla, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°50′32″N 117°16′29″W / 32.842180°N 117.274730°W |
| Public transit | MTS Gilman Transit Center |
| Owner | La Jolla Music Society |
| Type | Concert hall |
| Genre(s) | Music |
| Capacity | 513 (Concert Hall) 116-300 (Recital Hall) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | February 1, 2017 |
| Opened | April 5, 2019 |
| Construction cost | $82 million |
| Architect | Epstein Joslin Architects |
| Tenants | |
| La Jolla Music Society | |
| Website | |
| Venue Website | |
History
editSince 1986, the La Jolla Music Society (LJMS) rented the Sherwood Auditorium at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego throughout their concert seasons and well as their SummerFest. In 2012, the LJMS learned of the museum's plans to demolish Sherwood Auditorium.[1] In May 2014, the LJMS purchased a 30,760-square-foot parcel of land worth $10 million in the Village of La Jolla using $50 million in funds from eleven donors including $15 million from Conrad Prebys.[2][3] With increased funds, construction of The Conrad began on February 1, 2017.[4][5] The opening concert on April 5, 2019, featured performances by Hilary Hahn, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Jake Shimabukuro, Lil Buck, the Miró Quartet, Inon Barnatan, Heiichiro Ohyama, Cho-liang Lin, David Finckel, and Wu Han.[1]
Venue
edit
The Conrad was built and designed by New England–based Epstein Joslin Architects Inc. and the hall acoustics were managed by Yasuhisa Toyota, president of Nagata Acoustics.[3] Underneath the complex is a $1 million dollar "bathtub" which collects rainwater to prevent flooding.[3]
Baker-Baum Concert Hall
editThe concert hall is named after Brenda Baker and Steve Baum who gifted $10 million to the La Jolla Music Society. The hall has a capacity of 513 with oak, eucalyptus, and cedar woods and the stage has many customization options including a pit.[6]
The JAI
editThe 140-seat theater is named after Joan and Irwin M. Jacobs who also gifted $10 million.[6] If guests are seated at tables, the venue is estimated to have a capacity of 116 but if guests are left standing, the estimated capacity is around 300.[1] The space is used primarily for jazz, experimental music, and other amplified performances.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c Varga, George (2019-03-31). "La Jolla Music Society's Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center set to open with a splash — and an $82 million price tag". San Diego Tribune. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ Chute, James A. (2014-08-09). "La Jolla Music Society raises $50M for new center". San Diego Tribune. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ a b c Varga, George; Levitan, Corey (2019-04-02). "$82M Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center debuts Friday". La Jolla Light. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ Jennewein, Chris (2017-02-01). "Construction Begins for $76 Million Performing Arts Center in La Jolla". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ Mackin-Solomon, Ashley (2017-02-08). "The Conrad breaks ground: New La Jolla Music Society facility to open in 2019". La Jolla Light. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ a b c Showley, Roger (2017-01-30). "The Conrad's $76M music theater starts construction". San Diego Tribune. Retrieved 2022-03-22.