Ravinia Festival unveils $75-million pavilion, facilities upgrade

After four years of planning and construction, Ravinia Festival opened its redesigned pavilion to the public Saturday, July 11.

The North Shore outdoor venue unveiled a donor-funded, $75-million transformation that modernizes the Highland Park space with a new stage, upgraded backstage facilities, enhanced acoustics, improved lighting and seating, and expanded production capabilities.

Ravinia hosted a preview of its new facilities on Friday, July 10, where president and CEO Jeffrey Haydon and others spoke on the vast renovation.

As The Record previously reported, the plans to renovate the main pavilion went public and gained necessary City approvals in 2024. Thanks to a $10 million donation, the revived Hunter Pavilion is named after Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III.

“We are very excited to have this new pavilion,” said Jeffrey Haydon, president and CEO of Ravinia Festival. “Everything we do at Ravinia goes through the pavilion, it is the heart of Ravinia. We have set the standard going forward.” 

The redesigned Hunter Pavilion includes the deeper Negaunee Stage with a new acoustic shell by Wenger Cooperation and new seating with integrated cushions and cupholders, as well as improved accessibility, a state-of-the-art sound system, enhanced theatrical and architectural lighting, modernized production booths, and a dedicated video production room. 

The shell reportedly is made of weather-resistant motorized walls that create a sound-reflecting surface. Each wall is nearly 40% larger than a standard highway billboard and includes architectural LED lights and reflective accents. 

Lohan Architecture designed the geometric chevron patterns in the shell walls and ceiling panels, reportedly inspired by art glass windows in Ravinia’s historic Martin Theater. 

“I wanted the pavilion to relate more to its setting and the architectural history that exists here,” said Michael Barnes, principal architect for Lohan. “I also wanted it to relate more to the other buildings that I designed.” 

Back-of-the-house facilities have been comprehensively renovated through the creation of the Negaunee Foundation Artist Center, which includes dressing rooms and artist areas, expanded warm-up and rehearsal spaces, renovated production offices, enhanced broadcast capabilities, and improved loading and operational infrastructure. 

Jennifer Gunn, flutist and piccoloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who’s performed at Ravinia for the past two decades, said the backstage looks “gorgeous.” She is especially happy that now the women’s locker room has two showers, improved toilets and a comfortable lounge. 

Gunn said that the amenities will allow for a “happier” and “more relaxed” orchestra that can give the audience a better product. 

Since 2022, Haydon identified that the pavilion needed more than just a “few repairs,” and that it needed a “gut” or “historic” renovation. Up until now, the 40-year-old stages were “very out of date,” he said. 

The renovation reportedly was made possible by donors and almost exclusively individual donors. 

Now that the new pavilion has taken shape Haydon is excited that it will “accommodate different functions” for the performer(s) with more room on stage.  

The renovation fits in with Ravinia’s long-term goal to make sure stages are “up to date” and “beautiful” for presenting music, he said.

“[The renovation] inspires what we do going forward,” Haydon said. 

Barnes feels most proud of the design team and people at Ravinia that were able to collaborate together and accomplish the project that was a “huge undertaking.” 

To say the least, Barnes is “relieved” that the project is over and feels “great” about it, he said. 

“I am very happy that the project came out just like I hoped it would,” Barnes said. 

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.