Roxy Theatre, Parramatta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre in 1993, while still a working cinema
Location	65–69 George Street, Parramatta, City of Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Architect	Moore & Dyer in association with Herbert & Wilson
Owner	The Palace Group
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Roxy Theatre; Roxy Spanish Theatre; Hoyts Roxy Centre; Village Roxy 3
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	711
Type	Cinema
Category	Recreation and Entertainment
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The Roxy Theatre is a famous old building in Parramatta, Australia. It used to be a cinema and theatre. It was designed by architects Moore & Dyer with Herbert & Wilson. People also know it as the Roxy Spanish Theatre or just The Roxy. This special building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design.

The Roxy Theatre's Story

The Roxy Theatre was meant to be the first of many cinemas owned by Roxy Theatres Ltd. It was named after a famous cinema owner. When it first opened, it had 1923 seats! Even though "Talkies" (movies with sound) were new, it also had a huge and amazing Christie theatre organ. This organ was one of the best in the state.

Building the Roxy

In June 1929, a local newspaper reported that a good spot on George Street was bought. This land, owned by Mr. L. Jack, had two houses and a cottage. It was chosen to build a new theatre especially for the "Talkies." Other nearby properties were also sold to build shops next to the theatre.

A Grand Opening

The Roxy Theatre officially opened on 6 February 1930. It was a very important event for the community. A huge crowd filled the theatre, and thousands more watched from the street. The entrance was brightly lit. The Mayor officially opened the theatre, with other important local people. Everyone praised the theatre as a sign of progress for Parramatta. The opening night even featured greetings from famous Paramount film stars on the screen!

Spanish Style Design

The Roxy Theatre was built in a Spanish style. This was popular in Australia at the time. It had a simple, yet beautiful, design. There was a large courtyard in front with palms and arcades. The main entrance had an ornate tower. Inside, the foyer was two stories high, with Spanish patterns. The main theatre room had a striking design. It featured a ceiling dome with sunburst lighting. The building was also one of the first to have air conditioning!

Changes Over the Years

In 1937, Western Suburbs Ltd leased the cinema. Then, in 1946, Hoyts bought the Roxy. During World War II, some fancy ceiling lights were removed. In the 1950s, the famous organ was sold. Not much else changed until the 1970s.

In 1974, Hoyts thought about selling the theatre. Because its future was uncertain, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) stepped in. They recognized the Roxy as an important example of a "picture palace." It became only the second cinema in New South Wales to be listed by the Trust. The first was the State Theatre in Sydney.

Even though the building was saved from being torn down, Hoyts changed it in 1976. They turned the single large cinema into three smaller ones. The original stage area was removed. The upper part of the ceiling and walls stayed. The lower part was divided into two smaller cinemas. The front courtyard remained, and new shops were added.

In 1979, Hoyts sold the Roxy to Village Cinemas. The outside of the building was repainted in 1982. In 1988, the front courtyard was updated. New shops were put in the side areas. The building was painted inside and out. It reopened on 13 November. Village Theatres took over in July 1996.

Old photos show young palm trees in the Roxy's courtyard around 1930. Later photos from the 1970s and 1990s showed no plants. Now, new palm trees have been planted. They match the theatre's original style.

From Cinema to Nightclub and Beyond

The Roxy Cinema closed its doors for the last time in March 2002. It had been a cinema for 72 years! In 2004, the Palace Group bought it. They renovated the building, turning the two lower cinemas into a nightclub.

In March 2004, the Roxy reopened as an entertainment complex. It was called "The Roxy" again. It had a bar with access to the courtyard. It also became a place for live shows and events.

In 2014, the owner decided to close the Roxy Hotel venue. This was due to some challenges with how the venue was being used.

In 2017, there was a plan to restore the Roxy Theatre. The idea was to make it a "multi-purpose space" for movies, talks, performances, and events. This would be part of a new five-level entertainment center. A tall office tower was planned to sit above the theatre without touching it. The National Trust of Australia was concerned about the design. However, a community group called Save The Roxy Theatre supported the plan. They felt it would protect the theatre.

In July 2018, the Heritage Council of New South Wales suggested rejecting the plan. They thought the proposed tower was too big compared to the theatre. They wanted the tower to be no more than twelve stories high. The owner disagreed and even thought about reopening it as a nightclub. The plans to redevelop the site were not approved by Parramatta Council in 2018. The issue was then sent to the Land and Environment Court.

What the Roxy Theatre Looks Like

The Roxy Theatre is a special building built in the Inter-War Spanish Mission style. It was made specifically to be a cinema. On each side, it has covered walkways called loggias, which contain shops. The main entrance has a large arch. This arch is beautifully decorated with stucco (a type of plaster). The Roxy is one of the best examples in Australia of this style used for a large public building. It uses the Spanish Mission style very consistently throughout.

The building is a big "picture palace" cinema. The main theatre block is set back from the street. In front of it is a large courtyard, about 24.4 meters by 12.2 meters. This courtyard has arcaded walkways along its sides. These walkways end in small shops at the street front.

The front of the building is symmetrical. It has a large semi-circular arch over the main entrance. This arch has a decorative underside and rich moldings. The arch is part of a fancy central tower. You reach the entrance by climbing a grand set of steps. The outside walls are covered in stucco. The original name sign at the top of the tower is part of the design.

The main foyer is a tall, two-story space. It opens directly from the outside staircase. Stairs go up on both sides to a central mezzanine or balcony. The foyer still looks much like it did originally. It has stuccoed walls, arched openings, and a vaulted roof. The "Spanish" style continues with original light fittings, furniture, and floor tiles.

The original main theatre room has lots of decorative plasterwork. This includes arched windows and false balconies along the side walls. There's also a large central dome in the ceiling. Smaller theatres were added below the original stage. This made the original room smaller and meant the proscenium arch (the arch around the stage) had to be removed. However, parts of the original plasterwork still exist behind the current screen. The theatre also still has its original seating.

The building is made of brick inside and out. It has terracotta floor and roof tiles. Inside, there is painted timber, wrought iron, and molded plaster decorations.

Past Changes and Updates

• World War II: Fancy ceiling lights were taken out.
• 1950s: The original Christie organ was removed and sold.
• 1976: Hoyts changed it into three smaller cinemas. The original stage arch was removed. The upper part of the theatre stayed, but the lower part was divided. Minor changes were made to the entrance area.
• 1982: The outside of the building was repainted.
• 1988: The front courtyard was restored. The building was painted inside and out.

Why the Roxy Theatre is Important

The Roxy Theatre is very important because it's a great example of the "Picture Palaces" from the time between the two World Wars. Its design and original features show what these grand cinemas were like. It's also an excellent example of the "Interwar Spanish Mission" style. It has unique and high-quality architectural design.

The theatre also shows how movies and going to the cinema have changed since the 1920s. It started as one huge cinema for nearly 2000 people. Later, it was divided into smaller theatres. This shows how film technology and how people watched movies changed over time. The building's size and style also show how much American culture influenced Australia back then. It also shows how profitable these "Picture Palaces" were.

The Roxy's location and beginnings are linked to how Sydney's suburbs grew. It's a beautiful and unique landmark in Parramatta. Many people who went to the theatre in its early years value it. People interested in movie and architectural history also value it. In the 1970s, these groups helped save it from being torn down.

The Roxy Theatre was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This was because it met several important criteria.

A Look at History

The Roxy Theatre shows us the changing story of cinemas since the 1920s. Its design and purpose were shaped by new film technology and how people watched movies. This includes the arrival of "talking pictures."

The theatre's main room, which once held 1,923 people, shows how popular movies were. It also shows the influence of movie culture in Australia during that time. Even though it was later divided, the building still reflects this early mass-culture trend. The theatre's later history, including its decline and conversion, shows the full range of changes in Australian movie-going over many years.

The theatre also shows how much American culture influenced Australia. This includes architecture and popular culture, especially movies. The building's richly decorated Spanish Revival Style is part of how this style developed in Australia. It's also part of the trend of using exotic "national" styles for theatres across the country. The building's size and design also show how profitable building picture theatres was back then. They attracted large audiences who went regularly.

The theatre's location is linked to the growth of Sydney's suburbs. It's also connected to the importance of Parramatta at that time. The Roxy was originally planned as the first in a chain of suburban cinemas. Its opening was a big event. Local politicians attended, huge crowds gathered, and famous Hollywood actors sent special greetings.

Amazing Design and Style

The Roxy Theatre is an outstanding example of the "Picture Palaces" from the interwar period. Its overall shape and original features show the main qualities of these special buildings. For example, it shows the "escapist" feel of both films and the cinema environment. It also shows the influence of the United States, where both films and architectural ideas came from. It also reflects the idea that going to the theatre should be grand and luxurious, even if it was affordable for almost everyone.

The Roxy is also a notable example of the "Spanish Revival Style." It shows how this style developed in Australia. It's especially good at showing how the style was used for theatre design. Its design and details are very original and well-done. This includes the open-air, arcade-lined courtyard. This courtyard was a useful and attractive lobby. It also allowed people to see the main parts of the building well. This was a very original feature for its time. The building's decorations are a rich example of Spanish Mission forms. Even though it was seen as refined back then, it's now considered one of the most beautiful suburban picture palaces in Australia. It was spacious and well-furnished. The theatre room itself, with its original lights, organ, and air-conditioning, was as good as most city cinemas.

The building's beauty comes from its style and its own design. This is made even better by how well-preserved it is, especially on the outside. The main foyers and theatre room also remain largely intact.

The building is also a notable local landmark. Its large size, striking tower, and position set back from the street make it stand out. The decorative details add to its importance in the streetscape.

Special Community Connections

The theatre is important to several groups in the community. This includes people interested in Australia's early movie and theatre history. It's also important to heritage groups like the National Trust of Australia (NSW). They actively helped save it from demolition in the 1970s.

The building holds many strong memories for those who regularly went there. This is especially true for its most popular years, from the 1930s to the 1950s.

A Rare Find

This building is considered rare because it's such a unique and well-preserved example of its kind in New South Wales.

See also

• Burnie Theatre
• Spanish Colonial Revival architecture