Plaza Theatre (Sydney)

The former Plaza Theatre in Sydney, New South Wales is a heritage listed building designed as a 2000-seat cinema by Eric Heath for the Hoyts Group. It is rare surviving example central Sydney's inter-war building boom in theatre buildings. It is one of a handful of central Sydney's surviving theatre buildings.

Location

The building is located at 600 George Street, Sydney on the western half of the block bounded by Wilmot Street and Central Street to the sides and Pitt Street to the rear. It is a prominent feature of the entertainment sector's streetscape.

History

The Plaza Theatre was built during a golden age of cinema-going in Australia and was opened on 11 April 1930. By 1950 cinema attendance had declined and this was further affected by the introduction of television in 1956. Many suburban cinemas closed down and in the city a number of theatres were demolished for redevelopment. In 1977 the Plaza was closed as a cinema and the foyer was converted to a McDonald's and the auditorium was converted to a skating rink, concert venue and restaurant. A Heritage order prevented its demolition until 1995 when the auditorium became Planet Hollywood. That area is now a licenced bar.

The theatre's organ was built circa 1923 by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York and was installed at the Plaza in 1937 from the Wintergarden Theatre, Brisbane. It was removed around 1968 and the console was relocated to a private residence in Harris Park, New South Wales.

The building is of historic significance at a State level due to its ability to reflect the inter-war boom period of picture palace buildings in Sydney and for its contribution to the development of Sydney's George Street cinema precinct. It is aestheticly significant as a fine example of the Spanish Mission style and is particularly notable for its external Baroque detailing. It is listed on the Heritage Register of New South Wales as well as the Register of the National Estate.

Design and construction

The building was constructed in the years 1929 and 1930 by the building firm James Porter & Sons and to a design by Eric Heath. The brickwork facade is rendered in a rough cast stucco giving an exaggerated texture. The raised decorative detailing is in precast concrete. There are five floors including a basement and the three storey facade above the awning is symmetrical. It is dominated by a three window four Corinthian column loggia. The columns are supported on pedimented brackets and finish in an entablature incorporating spiral [urn]s. The individual windows are topped by decoration and the north-west corner is chamfered.

Interiors

The majority of the interior detailing has been lost since the building's demise as a cinema although fine remnants remain in the McDonald's restaurant that is now in sections of the original foyer. These include sections of the beamed ceiling, typical Spanish motifs and superbly coloured and stencilled floral motifs on the ceiling. Sections of the polychrome stencilled ceilings in the auditorium remain.

Bibliography

  • Building June 1930
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Sam
28 February 2016
Great concert venue. Best place is on left stairs as you are under the air-conditioner and you have the best view without being slammed by other people & you can still dance.
Michael
23 March 2018
Great place to see bands. Get in the thick of it down the front, or a bit more relaxed in the raised sections
Dennis Le
17 August 2014
My favourite live music venue in Sydney - perfect size + conveniently located near public transport. At sold-out shows, arrive before the support act for a good spot on the steps.
Elliot Chance
25 June 2015
The balance of free space where you can talk and crazy mosh pits in front of the stage me this a great gig place. Can go untill very late (4am+).
Sam
28 February 2016
The sound engineers are terrible at the metro & drinks are expensive. Steps are the best for a good view and space.
Lilian Fong
26 October 2013
Great venue but seriously the stickiest carpets I've encountered since uni bar. Dancing in my shoes!
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Map
600-612 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Get directions
Sun 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
Mon 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
Tue-Thu 7:00 PM–11:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM–Midnight

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