Founded as the Kiel Opera House in 1934, the opera house operated until 1991, closing its doors while the adjacent Kiel Auditorium was demolished. The owners promised that the Opera House would reopen after an extensive renovation. This planned renovation, however, did not happen until new owners and a 2009 vote to subsidize the renovation from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.

The $79 million renovation included the 3,100-seat opera house, three banquet / assembly rooms, a VIP lounge and an extensive lobby shared by all spaces.

Schuler Shook also provided architectural lighting design services for the auditorium including refurbishment of historic fixtures and new LED sources at the center dome. Finally, Schuler Shook designed a new dimming and control system to provide integrated control of all public spaces, the stage, and adjacent support spaces.