Luxurious Concert Venue Discovered 40 Feet Beneath Iconic Piano Shop in Boston

But while many residents and tourists walk its streets every day, enjoying the old buildings, most don’t realize that below ground sits an incredible music hall from the 1800s.

What is now Steinert Hall was once a piano store called M.S. Steinert & Sons. The company was established in 1860 by Morris Steinert, an immigrant from Bavaria, but moved to its current location on Boylston Street in 1896 by his son, Alexander Steinert.

He would build a concert hall within his store for people to play and listen to music. However, there were a few issues that made his dream almost impossible.

At the time, which was the turn of the 20th century, Boylston Street was made from cobblestones. And with the horse-drawn carriages passing by night and day, it was far too loud and would certainly drown out the acoustic music.

The concert hall would be built in the style of the Italian Renaissance and, when completed, would seat an impressive number of 650 guests.

Upon arrival, they would find an incredible room with classic columns, ornate arches, and awe-inspiring details, as well as some of the best musicians in the city.

Residents came from all around the state to enjoy the beautiful architecture and decor, as well as the exceptional sound.

Anyone who saw a show there quickly understood that the venue was made by musicians for musicians, as the acoustics were completely perfect.

The famous Coconut Grove Fire spread around Boston, sadly killing 492 people. Although the piano shop and the concert venue were below Boylston Street, the fire changed everything.

But, of course, the venue below Steinert Hall only had one entrance through a four-story staircase. So, that very year, they were closed down by local authorities.

But luckily, in the early 2000s, Greg Lamont found the hall and began sharing its historical significance with the world on his blog.

In 2015, Lamont began fighting for funding to restore the once-great venue and ensure its building codes meet the current requirements for the city. It hasn’t opened its doors in almost a century, but historians and musicians around the city and the world hope that it will soon.

This historic building, offering views of the Boston Common and public gardens, encompasses 38,000 square feet. 

The building’s historic value and prime location make it an attractive addition to Thibeault Development’s portfolio.

Thibeault plans to renovate the upper floors into luxury residential and retail spaces, ensuring that the building’s historic essence is preserved and enhanced for future generations, and emphasising he has no plans for the concert hall yet.

This approach involves renovating underutilized office spaces into high-end residential units with retail facilities on the ground floor.

This approach demonstrates William Thibeault’s commitment to tackling difficult development projects and showcasing the company’s expertise in diverse real estate scenarios.

The New England Real Estate Journal notes that the company’s commitment to preserving historical elements while integrating modern functionality is evident in its projects, influencing both the architectural and cultural heritage of the city and its surrounding areas.

CBS News reports that the focal point of her plan is to facilitate the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by homeowners. These units, which can be built inside existing homes or in yards, are intended to provide more affordable and flexible housing options in Boston. Mayor Wu emphasized the potential of these units to “expand lower-cost housing options, empower residents to build wealth, and foster diverse, multigenerational living spaces.”

This approach is not only about increasing housing availability but also about empowering homeowners to enhance their properties and contribute to solving the housing crisis.

By encouraging the development of ADUs, the city is looking to expand its housing stock without the need for large-scale construction projects. 

By adding ADUs, property owners can generate additional income through rentals, which can help them build wealth over time, lining up with Wu’s vision of empowering residents and promoting economic stability within the community.

These units can provide practical housing solutions for extended families, enabling different generations to live close to one another while maintaining independence and privacy, as per CBS News.

By focusing on accessory dwelling units, her administration is attempting to tackle the housing shortage through a strategy that benefits homeowners, supports economic stability, and promotes diverse living arrangements.