The venue's floor system is robotic, allowing seats to be retracted under the floor in under 30 minutes.
The original 1926 Art Deco facade was preserved and restored during the facility's extensive 2014 renovation.
The building's performance hall utilizes a 'fly tower' that is 110 feet tall to accommodate large-scale stage scenery.
The Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza features a high-definition LED video wall used for outdoor film screenings and live concert simulcasts.
The site was historically the location of the first permanent home of the San Antonio Symphony before the new center was commissioned.
The venue was designed by LMN Architects to achieve LEED Silver certification, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainable construction materials.
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is a multi-venue facility housed within the historic 1926 Municipal Auditorium building. It incorporates the original facade and portions of the Mediterranean-style exterior while integrating a modern, glass-fronted theater complex. The centerpiece is the H-E-B Performance Hall, which features a flat-floor conversion system allowing the space to transition from traditional theater seating to a level floor for galas or standing-room events. The facility also includes the intimate Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater and the outdoor Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza. It serves as the primary home for the San Antonio Symphony, Opera San Antonio, and Ballet San Antonio. The building's acoustics were engineered by Akustiks to provide variable reverberation times for different performance types. It sits directly on a bend of the San Antonio River, facilitating outdoor programming and community engagement. The center remains a central hub for major touring Broadway productions and global musical acts in the city.
The glass-enclosed lobby at sunset, which illuminates the preserved 1926 historic auditorium facade.
Check the event calendar for free community events hosted on the outdoor Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza.
Arrive early to explore the public art installations located throughout the lobby and outdoor plaza.
Use the drop-off lane on Auditorium Circle for easier access, as street parking is limited during high-traffic performances.
Do not rely on street parking during major events as it fills rapidly; utilize nearby structured parking garages instead.
Business casual is recommended for most performances; photography is strictly prohibited during live stage acts.
