Constructed in early 1897 to an original design by award-winning French architect Eugène Ferret, this beautiful venue hosted performances by many international performing artists throughout the French colonial period. Closed during World War II, it was repaired and reopened when the French returned in 1946 but following their final withdrawal from the south under the Geneva Agreement of 1956 the Ngô Đình Diệm regime turned the venue into the headquarters of the Lower House, with the result that considerable changes were made to both the inside and outside structure of the building. After Reunification in 1975 the city authorities approved temporary repairs to the building, returning it to its original function as a theatre. In 1995, 100 years after the commencement of the initial building project, a comprehensive restoration project was approved by the Hồ Chí Minh City People's Committee with completion scheduled in time for the 300th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of Sài Gòn in 1998. Many experienced historians and architects were invited to participate in the restoration project. The theatre was renovated with new materials and equipped with state-of-the-art electric appliances, lighting and sound systems and fire and safety equipment. It is now equipped for a wide range of art forms, including singing, music, dance and traditional and modern theatre by both local and foreign artists. Many original architectural and decorative features have been incorporated, including a stone veranda, white stone statues at the entrance, colourful granite tiled floors, chandeliers, bronze statues in front of the stairs and richly-engraved auditorium arch and wall statues. Hồ Chí Minh City Opera House is run by Saigon Concert, which has its offices at the rear of the building.