The Grandel is a crown jewel of the Grand Center Arts District and one of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation’s most dynamic venues. Located at 3610 Grandel Square, this multi-use arts facility is home to a state-of-the-art theater, award winning music and art venue The Dark Room, and the Grand Hall event and rehearsal space, all in an impeccably renovated historic site.
The Grandel started as the First Congregational Church, built in 1884 and designed by St. Louis architect Lewis Frederick Rice in the Romanesque Revival style, with a striking rough-cut limestone facade, and arched, leaded glass windows. After falling into neglect, Grand Center Inc. bought the property in 1989 and began a multi-million dollar renovation that converted the old church into a performance space. Opening in 1992, it served as the home stage for The Black Rep theater company for over 20 years.
After going vacant again in 2013, The Kranzberg Arts Foundation purchased the building in 2016, potentially saving it from the wrecking ball. KAF did a full renovation of the space prior to its reopening to the public in 2017, working with St. Louis-based firm SPACE Architecture + Design.
“We were so pleased to reactivate this incredible venue in the Grand Center Arts District and bring Grandel Square back to life,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “More importantly, we continue to ensure that The Grandel stages offer state-of-the-art performance opportunities for local artists and arts organizations that continue to connect people to the community.”
With a 454 seated capacity, The Grandel Theatre hosts concerts, plays, musicals, dance performances, comedy shows, and more, activated by KAF resident organizations, independent producers, and local, national and internationally touring artists.
Outside the theatre doors, The Dark Room at The Grandel is a premier live music and art venue offering weekly live performances and rotating photography exhibits that celebrate the sights and sounds of St. Louis. In addition to intimate shows with top St. Louis musicians across multiple genres, The Dark Room The Dark Room is home to the Wednesday Night Jazz Jam—a free, family-friendly weekly event hosted by Demarius Hicks that brings jazz within reach for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Jazz Jam takes place every Wednesday from 6-9 pm.
Any visit to The Grandel is sure to be a rich cultural experience in one of the most unique spaces St. Louis has to offer.
