The Municipal Auditorium was dedicated in 1934 and renamed in 1943 in honor of Henry W. Kiel (1871-1942), mayor of St. Louis from 1913 to 1925. The original building was designed by St. Louis architects Louis LaBeaume and Eugene S. Klein in a modified classic design with seats for 11,500 in the convention hall and 3,500 in the Opera House.

The quotation on the left side of the Market Street entrance of the Opera House is from a speech by German-born United States journalist and political leader Carl Schurz: "Democratic government will be the more successful, the more the public opinion ruling it is enlightened and inspired by full and thorough discussion. The greatest danger threatening democratic institutions comes from those influences ... which tend to stifle or demoralize discussion."

The handsome limestone bears at the entrance are the work of Victor Holm (west side of staircase) and his student, Robert Cronbach (east side). The bears refer to the bear in the Missouri state seal.

The Kiel Auditorium was torn down in 1992 for construction of the Savvis Center, the venue for St. Louis Blues hockey games and other events. The adjoining Opera House awaits renovation.