Ravinia Festival to Renovate Campus in $75m Update

The Chicago-based firm Lohan Architecture has designed updates to the campus's iconic Pavilion, among other changes

The Ravinia Festival has announced that it has just begun a multi-year renovation of its 36-acre park and venues just north of Chicago — with the improvements set to cost $75 million. Ravinia says it will be careful to preserve the most iconic features of the campus, such as the twentieth-century Prairie School architecture.

The first major update is to the Pavilion, which is the festival's largest venue. A new stage will be built alongside new seating and lighting, as well as updates to the hall's acoustics and production capacity. The building's historic roof will be maintained.

The construction has been conceived in two phases, with a pause in the summer of 2025 to allow the festival to go ahead as usual.

The updates to the Pavilion have been conceived by the Chicago-based firm Lohan Architecture. All other areas of the campus — including the Sandra K. Crown Theater, Martin Theatre, Bennett Gordon Hall, and the outdoor Carousel — are expected to be renewed and enhanced successively through the 2029 season, when Ravinia will celebrate its 125th anniversary.

"Ravinia has always been a cherished part of my family’s story," said Bill Hunter of the Hunter Family Foundation, who have provided some of the funding. "Growing up, we often went there with my parents, Maxine and Thomas, my grandmother, and our extended family, sharing picnics under the canopy of trees, surrounded by beautiful music and nature. For us, Ravinia represents the perfect intersection of music, art, and nature — a place to relax, be inspired, and build community. This gift is about ensuring that future generations can enjoy that same magic."

"Ravinia is a truly special place for all of us," said Marin Alsop, Ravinia Festival Chief Conductor. "It is a privilege to make music at the highest level in such a gorgeous, nature-filled setting. When it came to redesigning the Pavilion, a few Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians and I shared ideas to improve acoustics and deepen the connection between performers and the audience, all while preserving the charm and history that make Ravinia unique. It’s exciting to see how these improvements will elevate the experience for everyone."