The hall was designed by Santiago Calatrava, an architect best known for his curvaceous train stations and other transit buildings.

Georgia governor Sonny Perdue may provide for the Symphony Center in his 2006 budget next month. But Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin told the Journal-Constitution, "We don't have nearly that much money." The mayor said that the city is exploring alternate ways to help finance the hall.

The ASO released a study in September asserting that the new hall would generate $2 billion in economic activity over the next 15 years.