Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade |
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Hay Street Mall entrance to Piccadilly Arcade, Perth
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| General information | |
| Status | Arcade open Cinema closed (October 2013) |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Town or city | Hay Street, Perth, Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°57′13″S 115°51′30″E / 31.9536°S 115.8582°E |
| Completed | Arcade – February 1938 Theatre –10 March 1938 |
| Cost | A£75,000 |
| Client | Claude Albo de Bernales |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Baxter Cox and Leighton |
| Structural engineer | General Construction Company |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 20 December 2002 |
| Reference no. | 2065 |
The Piccadilly Cinema Centre and Piccadilly Arcade are famous landmarks in Perth, Western Australia. You can find them on Hay Street. This cool building has an Art Deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 30s.
It was designed by architect William T. Leighton for a mining businessman named Claude de Bernales. The arcade and theatre first opened in 1938. The arcade is a handy shortcut, connecting Hay Street to Murray Street.
In 1984, the building got a big makeover. This renovation even won an award for its design in 1986! The Piccadilly building is so special that it's listed on the State Heritage Register. The cinema was the last one in Perth's city center until it closed in 2013. After another three-year renovation, the arcade reopened in November 2021.
Contents
A Look Back: The Piccadilly's History
Building a New Entertainment Spot
The Piccadilly Theatre was one of many cinemas built in Perth around the 1930s. This was a time when people really wanted fun and entertainment. The theatre was built in a style called Inter-war Functionalist.
When it first opened, the Piccadilly had all the newest features. It was even the first cinema in Western Australia to have air conditioning! Imagine how cool that was on a hot day.
Who Built It?
A businessman named Claude de Bernales bought the land in 1935. After finishing another project called London Court, he focused on this new building. He hired architects Alfred Baxter Cox and Leighton to design the theatre and shopping arcade.
A local company, General Construction Company, built it. The Piccadilly Arcade opened in February 1938. The theatre followed a month later, opening on March 10, 1938. It could seat 1,100 people!
Artistic Touches
The theatre and arcade feature amazing sculptures. You can see bas relief friezes of dancing girls and strong 'Atlas-type' figures. These were created by a Perth sculptor named Edward Kohler. He was one of the first professional sculptors in Western Australia.
Changes Over the Years
The Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade stayed with its original owners until 1978. Then, it changed hands a few times. In 1983, the owners decided to restore the building. It closed for a refurbishment, and architect Ian Tucker led the work.
The theatre and arcade reopened in March 1984. This A$2 million renovation won a special award in 1986. Later, Alister Norwood, who started the Jeans West clothing store, bought the building for $9.9 million.
In 1989, the cinema was sold again. It closed briefly in 1990. Then, Malcolm Leech took over. He turned part of the cinema into a smaller screen, making it a twin cinema. Later, he added a third screen, making it a triplex!
Recent Updates and Reopening
In 1992, the current owners, Winston Holdings Pty Ltd and others, bought the building. In 2005, Cyril Watson took over running the cinema.
In 2010, a big thunderstorm damaged the cinema, causing it to close temporarily. It reopened after repairs. In 2013, part of the roof collapsed. The cinema closed permanently in September 2013.
The cinema space was used for a short time in 2014 for the Fringe World Festival. It was also a retail shop and a kickboxing studio.
In October 2018, plans for a big redevelopment were announced. The old cinema was to become a live performance theatre with a lounge and bar. The arcade also got new lighting, flooring, and shopfronts. The City of Perth helped with a grant for this project. The redevelopment was finished in November 2021, bringing new life to the arcade.
Why It's Special: Heritage Value
The Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade is very important to Western Australia's history. It was added to the Register of the National Estate in 1988. The National Trust of Australia (WA) also recognized its value.
In 2002, it was officially listed on the State Register of Heritage Places. This means it's a protected building because of its historical and architectural importance.
A Spooky Story: The Piccadilly Ghost
Some people say the complex is haunted! There are stories about the ghost of a former manager who still roams the building. Spooky!
