Originally designed by the Cleveland, OH-based firm of Walker & Weeks, construction on Severance Hall began in December 1929 and was completed by early 1931. Intended to serve as the permanent home for The Cleveland Orchestra, the new facility was a gift from John Long Severance and his wife, Elisabeth. Severance, whose father had served as treasurer of Rockefeller's Standard Oil, was then president of the orchestra's board of trustees. Until then, the orchestra, which was founded in 1918, performed in auditoriums and theaters throughout Cleveland and on tour.
Not long after the Severances announced their initial donation of $1 million, Elisabeth Severance died unexpectedly. Her husband then dedicated his energies and finances toward the new concert hall as a memorial to his wife. In the end, Severance gave nearly three times his initial pledge towards the building's design and construction. The overall cost of the hall was approximately $7 million, with funding generated by Severance, other benefactors and the public.