Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa is one of the most significant and distinguished landmarks of Reykjavik. Set in the heart of the city, it is a cultural and social hub with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the North Atlantic Ocean. Harpa is an enchanting destination for excited travelers, and since its opening on May 4, 2011, its award-winning grand architecture has attracted 10 million visitors.

Quick facts

🎭 General Facts

• Name: Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

• Location: Austurbakki 2, Reykjavík, Iceland

• Opened: May 4, 2011

• Primary Use: Concert hall, conference venue, cultural center

• Resident Organizations: Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Opera

🏗️ Architecture & Design

• Architects: Henning Larsen Architects (Denmark)

• Facade Design: Ólafur Elíasson (Icelandic-Danish artist)

• Style: Modern, geometric, inspired by Icelandic nature

• Glass Facade: 10,000+ unique glass panels, some with LED lights

• Design Inspiration: Basalt columns found in Icelandic landscapes

📐 Size & Structure

• Total Area: Approx. 28,000 m² (301,000 sq ft)

• Main Concert Hall (Eldborg): Seats 1,800

• Other Halls:

  • Silfurberg: 750-seat conference hall

  • Norðurljós: 450-seat recital hall

  • Kaldalón: 195-seat auditorium

• Conference Facilities: Multiple meeting rooms and expo spaces

💰 Cost & Funding

• Original Budget: Around €87 million (2007 estimate)

• Final Cost: Over €164 million (approx. $200 million USD)

• Funding: Icelandic government took over funding during 2008 financial crisis

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• 2013: Mies van der Rohe Award – EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture (Finalist)

• 2011: World Architecture Festival – Best Cultural Building (Completed Buildings category)

• Recognized globally as an architectural and cultural landmark

🌍 Cultural Impact

• Symbol of Iceland’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis

• Hosts international conferences, music festivals, corporate events, and art exhibitions

• One of Reykjavík’s most visited landmarks—millions of visitors since opening

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center offers one of the best venues in Northern Europe for concerts, conferences and other large public events. Harpa received numerous prizes and awards.

Harpa was selected by the prestigious Gramophone magazine as one of the best concert halls of the new millennium, and was selected by Travel & Leisure magazine as the best performance venue in 2011. It also received the prestigious award as Northern Europe’s Best MICE Centre, in 2012.

Unique architectural design is making it one of the top photographed landmarks in Reykjavik.

Harpa was created in collaboration with Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson by the Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects. The building is made up of a steel framework with geometrically curved glass panels in a variety of colors.

The structure was built as part of the World Trade Center Reykjavk redevelopment of the Austurhöfn neighborhood, which was mostly abandoned when the Icelandic financial crisis hit in 2008.

Interesting facts about Harpa Concert Hall

Here are some interesting facts about this amazing landmark:

• Harpa actually has 3 main music halls: Norðurljós, Silfurberg and Eldborg.
• The entire complex sits on 15 acres of land.
• The name Harpa was selected as winning proposal from total of 4,156 entries submitted by 1,200 citizens.

Read more: Interesting facts about Harpa Concert Hall