Situated along Thessaloniki's revitalized waterfront, the Thessaloniki Concert Hall (Megaro Mousikis) stands as a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage and architectural innovation. The complex comprises two distinct buildings—M1 and M2—each offering unique insights into the city's artistic vision.
The land for the Concert Hall was generously provided by the Greek state, with the first building, M1, completed in January 2000. This edifice serves as a hub for various cultural events, including classical music concerts, ballet, opera, drama, and conferences.
Building M1: Designed by Greek architects Vassilis Sgoutas, M1 features a brick façade in warm reddish tones, with a semicircular entrance crafted from stainless steel and glass. Its design draws inspiration from Thessaloniki's Byzantine architectural heritage, evident in its modern interpretation of traditional forms. The building measures 108 meters in length, 45 meters in width, and reaches a height of 26.5 meters at its peak. It houses a main hall with a seating capacity of 1,467, along with various offices, dressing rooms, and rehearsal studios.
Building M2: In contrast, M2 was designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and completed in 2010. This structure presents a more contemporary aesthetic, characterized by its lightness and transparency, achieved through extensive use of glass. Architecturally, it contrasts with M1, offering a modern perspective on the city's cultural landscape. M2 includes smaller performance spaces, such as a hall with 500 seats and another with 300 seats that can be further divided, as well as a public reception area.
Both buildings are renowned for their exceptional acoustics. The main hall's design incorporates adjustable ceiling and side wall elements, allowing for dynamic modification of the hall's reverberation time to suit different performances. This adaptability places the Thessaloniki Concert Hall among Greece's premier acoustic venues, alongside the Heraklion Cultural Centre and the Athens Concert Hall.