Metro Arts Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Metro Arts Theatre |
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Entrance of Metro Arts Theatre, 2005
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| Location | 117 Edward Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Official name: 109 Edward Street, Community Arts Centre, Coronation House, Metro Arts Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600090 |
| Significant period | 1890 (fabric) 1890-1930, 1938-1949, 1949-1976, 1981 (historical) |
| Significant components | carriage/wagon/dray entrance, hoist |
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The Metro Arts Theatre is a special building in Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place. This building was first built in 1890. It started as a warehouse, a place to store goods. Later, it became a lively theatre and arts center. Over the years, it has also been known as the Community Arts Centre, Coronation House, and Metro Arts Centre.
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The Story of Metro Arts Theatre
The land where the Metro Arts Theatre stands was bought in 1871. A man named Captain George Poynter Heath bought it. In 1890, a large warehouse was built there. It was rented out to a company called George Myers & Co. This company imported and sold things like china, glass, and earthenware.
Early Challenges and Changes
In March 1902, a fire caused a lot of damage to the upper floors. But don't worry, the building was fixed! In 1907, the warehouse was divided into smaller parts. This allowed different businesses to rent space there.
By 1912, Myers & Co bought the whole building. They became the only business using it. They stayed there until 1930, when their company closed down. The building was empty for a few years, from 1931 to 1937.
A New Name and Purpose
In 1938, the building got a new name: Coronation House. This was to celebrate the coronation of King George VI. Many different businesses used the building then. These included companies that made things and those that imported goods.
During World War II, parts of the building were used by the Australian Government. They used it for departments like Supply and Shipping. In 1949, the Australian Government bought the building. It continued to be used by various government offices.
Becoming an Arts Hub
By the early 1970s, the building was no longer suitable for government offices. By 1976, all government departments had moved out. That same year, exciting work began! The building started to be changed into a community arts center.
In July 1981, the Community Arts Centre officially opened. It was a busy place with a theatre and two art galleries. It also had rehearsal rooms, workshop spaces, and meeting rooms. There was even a dark room for photography, a printing shop, a cinema, and a restaurant. More improvements were made in 1988. This added even more facilities for artists. In 1988, the building was renamed the Metro Arts Centre.
Metro Arts Today
From 1980 until mid-2020, the building at 109 Edward Street was a busy theatre. Metro Arts was a group that supported many different types of art. It had two places for performances: the Sue Benner Theatre and the Studio. There was also a gallery space.
Metro Arts helped more than 30 creative businesses. It also supported individual artists with studios. You could even find retail shops there.
A New Home for Creativity
The Metro Arts building was sold in December 2019. Metro Arts then moved to a new location. Their new home is at 111 Boundary Street, West End. This new location officially opened in September 2020.
What the Building Looks Like
The Metro Arts building is made of brick and has five floors, plus a basement. Inside, it has strong timber floors and columns that hold everything up. The front of the building, facing the street, is divided into five sections. These sections are separated by flat, wide pilasters, which are like decorative columns.
The middle and outer sections have tall, narrow windows in pairs. The wider sections in between have three wider windows. All the windows are square at the top. The front of the building has simple, classic details. There are also string courses, which are horizontal bands that divide the floor levels.
On the ground floor, on the left side, there's an entrance for carts. This leads to an internal laneway and then to a courtyard at the back. The top of the building has a simple, stepped wall called a parapet. The sides of the building are plain but have many windows. At the back, there's an old internal hoist and motor. It has a curved metal roof and special platforms at each floor.
The building is still mostly in its original condition. You can still see the timber columns, beams, and brick walls. The old hoist is also still there. Some changes have been made, like removing parts of the floor. New walls were added to create a cinema and a cafeteria.
Why Metro Arts Theatre is Important
The building at 109 Edward Street was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's considered very important for a few reasons:
- A Glimpse into the Past: It shows us what the old warehouse area of the city looked like. It helps us understand how Brisbane grew and changed.
- A Rare Example: It's a great and rare example of a warehouse from the late Victorian era (the late 1800s). Not many buildings like it are still around.
- Beautiful to Look At: The building also adds to the beauty and history of Edward Street. It helps keep the street's old charm alive.
