Dunn & Hillam Architects
Designed by Bruce Dellit, Guy Crick and Bruce Furse, the predominant theatre architects of the day, opened in 1939 as the Minerva Theatre. The building features a classic Art Deco exterior and dramatic German Expressionist interior. Converted into a cinema in 1950 and renamed the Metro, it had several uses before becoming the offices of Kennedy Miller during the production of films like Babe and Mad Max: Fury Road.
GBA Heritage’s historical research clarified the building’s significance as one of the best remaining examples of Art Deco theatre architecture in Sydney.
The interior having been altered with each new occupant, the challenge of preparing the building for new use was to insert new services, including the extensive mechanical services required for the large auditorium, without detracting from its clean, sweeping lines and detailed ornamentation, while preventing damage to the original structure.
GBA Heritage helped guide engineering decisions, resulting in a modernised venue rich in heritage character. Adaptation of the building for use as a hotel was recently approved.
