Construction Curtain Rises on New National Theater

2002/01/01

After four years' discussion and preparatory work, construction of Beijing's spectacular National Theater is now under way after an official ground-breaking ceremony. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the US$2.688-billion theater, located West of the Great Hall of the People, is planned to open in 2005.

The project will include opera and drama theaters, a concert hall, art gallery, a performing-arts research center, art shop and underground parking lot.
Andreu was the designer of numerous airports, including the Charles De Gaulle in Paris, Nice, Jakarta and Shanghai International. He also designed the France terminal for the (Britain-France) Channel Tunnel.



	Article featured in Beijing This Month, January 2002 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism