The new Athenian buildings of the 5th century BC were generally semi-permanent and normally had two storeys. Although the Odeon of Pericles is made largely of wood, the fact that the site is cut into the hillside highlights a move towards permanence in the design of theatre structures, as does the use of local stone opus quadratum for the walls. The later completion of the Lycurgean Theatre of Dionysus is further evidence of the Athenians’ desire to dedicate time, money, and effort to the creation of permanent theatres.

The design of the Odeon of Pericles necessitated the Acropolis being cut away on the north, west and east sides of the site. The design thus made provision for the construction of stone retaining walls on three sides of the Odeon, which would support the Acropolis and the Theatre of Dionysus.

The supporting wall at the east of the Theatre of Dionysus was separated from the Odeon of Pericles in its southern section by approximately 4 feet 7 inches, whilst the two walls were connected at the south east by a cross wall (positioned approximately 15 feet 5 inches from the south-eastern corner of the auditorium in the Theatre of Dionysus).