After an unexpectedly drawn out gestation period, the former mayor of Rio César Maia's controversial vanity project in Barra da Tijuca opened in early 2013 with the intention of hosting a wealth of high-level cultural shows from ballet and theatre to music. The 'grande sala' can hold over 1,600 people, but elsewhere in the huge, elevated concrete construction, the Teatro do Câmara theatre, 21 multi-use spaces, an orchestra practice room, three cinemas, an art gallery, café and restaurant are all to be found.