Just like the BP Bridge, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion was designed by Frank Gehry and is made up of brushed stainless steel. The Pavilion was named in memory of Jay Pritzker, a prominent Chicago businessman whose family is well known around the city for their philanthropy.
The Pavilion rises 120 feet into the air, and evokes ribbons flowing in the wind -- not an easy feat for a metal structure. The 11,000 person seating area (4,000 seats in front of the stage, and room for 7,000 on the Great Lawn) is covered with criss-crossing pipes that support the Pavilion's high-end sound system. The multiple speakers distribute the sound evenly across all the seating, which is very effective at the goal of replicating the sound of an indoor concert hall.
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts a number of free music events from spring through fall, including the Grant Park Music Festival, and the very popular Gospel Fest.
