About this Destination
The Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic Hall), nicknamed Elphi, is Hamburg's cultural landmark that officially opened in January 2017. This spectacular concert hall lies on the banks of the Elbe River in the HafenCity quarter, surrounded on three sides by water. The building consists of a striking glass structure rising 110 meters above ground, perched on top of a former brick warehouse (Kaispeicher A, built in 1963). The new construction resembles a hoisted sail, water wave, iceberg, or quartz crystal and has become an architectural icon. The building houses three concert halls: the Grand Hall with 2,100 seats arranged in vineyard style where no audience member sits more than 30 meters from the conductor, a Recital Hall for 550 guests with elegant milled wood paneling, and the Kaistudios for workshops and participatory projects. The acoustics were designed by Yasuhisa Toyota, featuring 10,000 individually micro-shaped gypsum fiber panels called the "white skin" that perfectly disperse sound waves. A key feature is the Plaza at 37 meters height, offering a public viewing platform with breathtaking 360-degree views over the port and city, accessible via the spectacular 82-meter curved escalator called "the Tube." The building also houses restaurants, the Westin Hamburg Hotel with 250 rooms, and various cultural facilities. Guided tours take visitors through the historic warehouse, Plaza, and concert halls, lasting approximately 90 minutes. Since opening, over 2.6 million guests have attended more than 1,000 concerts, making it one of the world's premier concert venues.