Owner of the 1930s heritage-listed Parramatta building, David Kingston confirmed he was talking to Parramatta Council about redeveloping the site for a “mixed use development” that would be built “behind and over” the Roxy, with restaurants at the front.
Yet protectors of the Roxy want assurances that the building will be restored and the theatre available for community use.
Leading campaigner is actress/director Clare McCann who has addressed her concerns to Parramatta councillors, reflecting the feelings of two Facebook group Supporters of the Roxy and Save the Roxy.
So loved is the art deco theatre, which was once a drawcard for movie and theatre-goers until it closed 12 years ago, that supporters have registered their concern before any development application has been submitted to council.
Ms McCann wants to see the disused theatre opened for performances before the redevelopment.
“I can’t see why the theatre, this beautiful space, has to be locked up when we are short of performance spaces in Parramatta,” she said.
While Mr Kingston told WSBA he understood the passion people had for the Roxy - a passion he said he shared - it was impractical for the theatre to be “given over” for performances at this stage as it needed upgrading, which will be done in consultation with eight heritage architects.
Mr Kingston said his planned development would see the old picture theatre retained as “a multi-use theatre” available for hire, as it had been when he first bought the property in 2002.
“The theatre will be available for whoever wants to hire it for events, or shows, corporates or theatre groups, just like any other theatre,” Mr Kingston said.
Mr Kingston, whose company is Palace Leisure Group, said he was upset that two Facebook groups of Roxy supporters had drawn the conclusion that he was closing or demolishing the theatre without consulting him.
“Where were these people 12 years ago (when the old theatre was up for sale)?” he said.
Mr Kingston was adamant he was not planning to sell the Roxy - despite rumours that Justin Hemmes, who owns the Ivy in Sydney, was interested in buying it to run as a night club.
Mr Kingston closed the hotel, which had become a drawcard for trouble, because he said it “no longer fits into the Parramatta of the future”.
“The hotel/nightclub would not contribute to Parramatta CBD as it grows whereas the new usage will appeal to a far broader cross-section of the Parramatta community,” he said.
“The aim is to appeal to people up to age 80 rather than the 18 to 30 year old demographic.”
How the mixed use development of residential and commercial space will look depends on a design competition to be conducted by the council, he said.
Palace Leisure Group bought the Roxy in 2002 as a vacant building after the Village movie theatre closed because it was unviable against the Westfield cinemas.
ROXY HISTORY
- Built in 1930s as picture theatre.
- Run by Hoyts before Village bought it.
- Bought by Palace Group 2002.
- Developed into hotel 2004.
- Closed July 2014.
- Plans for theatre upgrade with commercial tower behind.
- Ghosts, including a Jack who claims to own the Roxy, have been sighted.
