A major new addition to Shanghai’s cultural skyline is nearing completion: the Shanghai Grand Opera House, an ambitious and elegantly modern venue designed by the acclaimed Snøhetta opera house team in collaboration with ECADI. Slated to open in late 2025, this project places the Shanghai Grand Opera House at the forefront of the city’s plan to solidify its status as a global cultural capital.
The architectural centerpiece of the Snøhetta opera house design is a dramatic, fan-shaped roof inspired by traditional Chinese folding fans and the fluidity of dance. This helical structure, part sculpture and part public promenade, offers visitors a panoramic path above the Shanghai Grand Opera House, seamlessly integrating the building into the surrounding urban fabric.
Inside, the Shanghai Grand Opera House will feature three state-of-the-art auditoriums, seating from 1,000 to 2,000 guests, each engineered for performances ranging from classical opera to avant-garde productions. The Snøhetta opera house approach extends beyond form to accessibility: a rooftop stage and year-round public plaza keep the venue open and connected to the city.
Warm oak interiors and precision-tuned acoustics—courtesy of Nagata Acoustics—anchor the performance experience. But the vision for the Shanghai Grand Opera House doesn’t end there. Galleries, rehearsal spaces, libraries, and cinemas turn the Snøhetta opera house design into a dynamic, all-day cultural destination.
Blending iconic form with functional innovation, the Shanghai Grand Opera House by the Snøhetta team is not just a venue—it’s a symbol of Shanghai’s creative ambition, ready to redefine how the world experiences opera.
