Ravinia Opens Transformed Hunter Pavilion As Campaign Reaches $75M

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park's Ravinia Festival will unveil the redesigned Hunter Pavilion at an inaugural concert this weekend, marking the end of two seasons of redesign and construction on the campus centerpiece.

Ravinia also said it has reached the $75 million mark in its “Setting the Stages” campaign for the multiyear renewal of its 36-acre park and performance venues.

According to Ravinia, the campaign was inaugurated with a major gift from the Hunter Family Foundation and reached the $75 million milestone with a second gift from the foundation. Ravinia said that gift enables the Pavilion to open debt-free.

The Pavilion renovation is the largest phase of a campus-wide transformation that will continue in the coming years.

The July 11 grand opening will feature the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, with pianist Yunchan Lim performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and a special appearance by Lizzo on flute. The concert also launches the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 90th summer residency at the festival.

"Ravinia's historic pavilion transformation was inspired by a family’s love, from their children and grandchildren wanting to honor their parents and grandparents, Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III. We are excited to welcome artists and audiences to the state-of-the-art Hunter Pavilion," said Jeffrey P. Haydon, Ravinia President & CEO. "Together with The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center, which brings our backstage to world-class standards, Ravinia will continue to present a range of performances that will inspire generations to come.”

Designed by Chicago-based Lohan Architecture under the guidance of Principal Architect Michael Barnes, the Pavilion keeps its roofline while adding a deeper Negaunee Stage, a new acoustic shell by Wenger Corporation, a new audio system, enhanced lighting, modernized production booths, a dedicated video production room and upgraded seating with improved accessibility. The redesign also adds warm wood elements and geometric motifs inspired by the historic Martin Theatre windows while preserving the Pavilion’s openness to the surrounding park.

Back-of-house renovations were completed through The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center, which includes new dressing rooms and artist areas, expanded warm-up and rehearsal spaces, renovated production offices, enhanced broadcast capabilities, and improved loading and operational infrastructure.

"It is truly an honor to bookend this historic project for Ravinia, from brainstorming conversations and our initial gift to the final pledge to help hit the $75 million goal," said Bill Hunter, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hunter Family Foundation. "We'll cherish seeing our parents' and grandparents' love of this special gathering place live on in an updated space that will welcome generations of families, guests, and artists, a gift born out of our family's enduring commitment to this community."

Future projects will include continued enhancements to the Martin Theatre and Bennett Gordon Hall, along with additional outdoor performance spaces, as Ravinia moves toward its 125th anniversary celebrations in 2029.