News & Stories

Planning Consent approved for ‘Doors Open’ Capital Project

Wed 11 Mar 2026

We are delighted to announce that Westminster City Council has granted planning and listed building consent for Doors Open, marking a significant milestone in our plans to restore and transform our home, Smith Square Hall.

The Hall sits on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register and requires urgent restoration to safeguard its future.

Doors Open will secure Smith Square Hall’s future through a thoughtful renovation that respects Sir Thomas Archer’s 18th-century design while delivering 21st-century performance facilities and a centre for musical excellence.

Smith Square Hall is home to Sinfonia Smith Square. We inspire young artists – nurturing the next generation of professional musicians through our annual Fellowship programme, forming a new, vibrant orchestra each year. We attract world-class artists who present exceptional performances in our iconic home. We are a catalyst for community engagement, delivering exciting cultural initiatives for the enjoyment of diverse audiences.

Image: Smith Square Hall CGI North view evening scene © Burrell Foley Fischer Architects

Rosie Fraser, Chief Executive, Sinfonia Smith Square

Doors Open will deliver:

A world class performance space, building on the Hall’s rich musical heritage
and renowned acoustic, attracting audiences of 100,000 a year.
A new Learning Studio for children, schools, and community outreach activity.
An Artist Wellbeing Hub providing improved facilities for musicians and guest artists.
A revitalised Crypt cafe and box office, creating a welcoming community space
open throughout the day.
Full restoration of the historic building fabric and essential services, safeguarding the building for future generations

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with completion and the reopening of Smith Square Hall anticipated in early 2029. Sinfonia Smith Square is working with renowned conservation and performance architects Burrell Foley Fischer on the project.

As Ward Councillors we are delighted that Sinfonia Smith Square has achieved planning consent for the transformation of this iconic building. In particular we are excited to see plans that will benefit the local neighbourhood and also the wider musical community - especially young musicians who typically wouldn’t have the opportunity to play at this level. We wish the team our very best wishes for their ongoing fundraising efforts for this transformation.

Mark Shearer and Tim Mitchell, Councillors for St James's Ward, Westminster City Council

Our vision, to transform lives through music, is central to Doors Open. Sinfonia Smith Square works with local partners, including Tri-Borough Music Hub and Westminster City School, to inspire participation and create pathways into music at all levels.

Over four years, Doors Open will engage more than 35,000 people through an ambitious community outreach and education programme promoting skills development and volunteering.

Doors Open is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with Development Phase funding already in place.

In February, Her Majesty The Queen, Royal Patron of Sinfonia Smith Square, visited Smith Square Hall to watch young scholars from the Tri-Borough Music Hub rehearse and perform with the orchestra and learn about the project.

The full press release can be viewed here.