Snøhetta's Shanghai Grand Opera House opens on the Huangpu River

Snøhetta made its name with the Oslo Opera House, whose roof you can stroll straight up from the waterfront. In Shanghai the Norwegian studio has tried the same generous idea again. The new Shanghai Grand Opera House stretches along the Huangpu River inside a park that is free and open to everyone, and its structure dips down to the ground so visitors can wander up onto the roof.

That roof curves in answer to the river's movement, the architects say, and works as a promenade, viewing deck and gathering place all year round. A spiral staircase links ground and roof, framing views of the water and skyline. Below it sit restaurants, education spaces and three auditoriums, Harmony Hall, Soar Theatre and Open Stage, seating 4,200 between them, for everything from traditional opera to experimental work.

Inside, the building is mostly white and minimal, lit by wide glazing, with bold red volumes in the lobby that may nod to old theatre boxes but are arranged for acoustics. Each hall has its own palette, moving from darker tones in the largest to lighter ones in the smallest.

Wallpaper* reported it opening in October 2026. Even without a ticket, the roof and park are the reason to go: a cultural building meant to belong to the whole city.

Our summary of a story from Wallpaper*, published 17 October 2026. Read the original