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Regent Theatre
Heritage Management Plan
for
Brookfield Multiplex on behalf of ISPT
December 2010
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FINAL
Brookfield Multiplex on behalf of ISPT
Regent Theatre
Heritage Management Plan
December 2010
Reference: 0073780.rp1
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Level 1, 60 Leichhardt Street
Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Facsimile +61 7 3839 8381
www.erm.com
Approved
by:
John Hoysted
Position:
Project Manager
Signed:
Regent Theatre
Date:
6 December, 2010
Approved
by:
Alan Simonic
Position:
Partner
Brookfield Multiplex on behalf of ISPT
6 December, 2010
December 2010
Signed:
Date:
Heritage Management Plan
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd Quality System
0073780
www.erm.com
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This disclaimer, together with any limitations specified in the report, apply to use of this report. This
report was prepared in accordance with the contracted scope of services for the specific purpose stated
and subject to the applicable cost, time and other constraints. In preparing this report, ERM relied on: (a)
client/third party information which was not verified by ERM except to the extent required by the scope
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report does not constitute legal advice.
CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
BACKGROUND
OBJECTIVES
METHODOLOGY
STUDY AREA
HERITAGE STATUS
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
2
BACKGROUND HISTORY
2.1
2.2
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRISBANE AND QUEEN STREET
THE REGENT THEATRE
3
DESCRIPTION
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
EXTERIOR
ENTRANCE HALL AND GRAND FOYER LOBBY
GRAND FOYER
BASEMENT
CAFÉ AND SHOP
OFFICES
4
CONDITION
4.1
4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.3.4
4.3.5
STRUCTURE
EXTERIOR
ROOFS
WALLS
INTERIOR
ENTRANCE HALL
GRAND FOYER
BASEMENT
CAFÉ AND SHOP
OFFICES
5
CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4
5.1.5
5.2
5.3
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
REGENT THEATRE, SYDNEY
REGENT THEATRE, MELBOURNE
VILLAGE TWIN, NEW FARM
STATE THEATRE, SYDNEY
SUMMARY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
1
1
1
2
4
5
6
8
13
15
17
20
21
22
26
26
26
27
30
30
30
31
31
31
32
32
33
34
35
36
39
40
CONTENTS
5.4
DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
6
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
6.1
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.2.4
6.3
6.3.1
6.3.2
6.3.3
6.3.4
SIGNIFICANCE
LEGISLATIVE CONSTRAINTS
BRISBANE CITY PLAN HERITAGE REGISTER
QUEENSLAND HERITAGE REGISTER
NATIONAL TRUST OF QUEENSLAND HERITAGE LIST
REGISTER OF THE NATIONAL ESTATE
REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
CONTINUED COMMUNITY USE
NEW DEVELOPMENT TO REAR OF SITE
REDEVELOPMENT OF BASEMENT AREA
REINVIGORATION OF AREA OF MALL
7
CONSERVATION POLICY
7.1
7.2
7.2.1
7.2.2
7.3
7.3.1
7.3.2
7.4
7.4.1
7.4.2
7.4.3
7.4.4
7.5
7.5.1
7.5.2
7.5.3
7.5.4
7.5.5
7.5.6
7.6
7.6.1
7.7
7.7.1
7.8
7.8.1
7.9
7.9.1
7.9.2
DEFINITIONS
GENERAL POLICIES
ADOPTION OF POLICIES
APPROPRIATE SKILLS
FABRIC AND SETTING
SETTING AND STREETSCAPE
SIGNIFICANT FABRIC
BUILDING EXTERIOR
MONITORING
NEW OPENINGS
SIGNAGE
MAINTENANCE
BUILDING INTERIOR
ENTRANCE HALL
GRAND FOYER
CAFÉ
BASEMENT
OFFICES
SHOPFRONT
MOVEABLE HERITAGE
FURNITURE AND PAINTINGS
SERVICES
UPGRADING AND NEW SERVICES
MAINTENANCE
PRIORITISED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
DEMOLITION
EXCAVATION
40
47
47
47
47
47
48
48
48
48
48
49
51
52
53
53
53
53
54
54
54
54
54
55
55
55
56
57
57
58
58
58
58
58
58
59
59
59
59
60
CONTENTS
7.9.3
7.9.4
7.9.5
7.10
7.10.1
7.11
7.12
7.12.1
7.13
7.13.1
7.13.2
7.13.3
SECURITY
TEMPORARY WEATHER PROTECTION
TEMPORARY USE
DOCUMENTING CHANGE
ARCHIVAL RECORDING
INTERPRETATION
COMPLIANCE
APPROVALS
IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION
LODGEMENT OF DOCUMENTS
HMP REVIEW
8
FULFILMENT OF MINISTERIAL DIRECTION
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.3.1
8.4
DIRECTIVE I
DIRECTIVE II
DIRECTIVE III
‘CINEMA BOX’ ARTEFACTS
DIRECTIVE IV
ANNEX A
ANNEX B
ANNEX C
ANNEX D
ANNEX E
ANNEX F
PRIORITISED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
INFORMATION REQUEST – HERITAGE RESPONSE
QUEENSLAND HERITAGE REGISTER ENTRY
INTERPRETIVE CONCEPT
FURNISHINGS AND FITTINGS CATALOGUE
HERITAGE ADVICE – ERM AUGUST 2010
62
62
62
62
62
63
63
64
64
64
64
65
66
70
76
107
110
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd (ERM) was
commissioned in March 2010 to prepare a Heritage Management Plan (HMP)
for the Regent Theatre, Queen Street, Brisbane, by Brookfield Multiplex (BMP)
on behalf the Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT). ISPT is
redeveloping the Regent Theatre site in conjunction with BMP.
1.2
OBJECTIVES
The HMP was initially prepared in response to a Direction by the Queensland
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning dated 19 February 2009 and aimed to
address the following specific requirements of the Ministerial Direction:
Following a review of the first draft of the HMP by the Department of
Infrastructure and Planning (DIP), Department of Environment and Resource
Management (DERM) and Brisbane City Council (BCC) further direction was
received to provide additional reporting consistent with recognised heritage
industry standards for heritage and conservation management planning.
1.3
METHODOLOGY
This HMP is intended to address specific issues associated with the future
redevelopment of the Regent Theatre site and the Ministerial Direction
requirements, but also aims to guide the future conservation and management
of the heritage listed Entrance Hall, Grand Foyer and Offices. Accordingly,
this HMP is based on recognised guidelines such as The Australia ICOMOS
Charter for Places of Cultural Significance and associated guidelines (Burra
Charter), The Conservation Plan, J.S. Kerr, 5th Edition, Sydney, May 2000, and
the DERM’s Conservation Management Plan Template.
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ERM has drawn on information contained in a number of heritage
management documents it has prepared for the Regent since 2007 including;
•
Heritage Assessment of the “Cinema Box,” 2007;
•
Regent Heritage Impact Assessment, 2007;
•
Regent Request for Information Response, 2008;
•
Regent Fittings and Furniture Catalogue, 2008;
•
Regent Offices Conservation Report, 2008; and
•
Regent Schedule of Construction Conservation Measures, 2008.
ERM has also drawn on and incorporated information from The Regent
Interpretation Concept by X Squared Design Pty Ltd+Peter Emmett prepared in
2010.
The HMP provides a summary history of the Regent Theatre in Section 2
followed by a description of the place in Section 3 and condition reporting at
Section 4. A discussion of the heritage values follows at Section 5, an overview
of the opportunities and constraints at Section 6, and conservation policy at
Section 7. Section 8 addresses each of the Ministerial Direction HMP
requirements.
1.4
STUDY AREA
The study area encompasses the Hoyts Entertainment Area at 163-167 Queen
Street and comprises Lot 1 on RP65292, Lot 2 on RP49018, Lot 1 RP574, and
Lot 1 on RP575. The study area is shown at Figure 1.1.
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Figure 1.1:
Study Location
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1.5
HERITAGE STATUS
The Entrance Hall, Grand Foyer (including the Marble Staircase), Basement,
Café and Shop and Offices are listed in the Brisbane City Council’s City Plan
Heritage Register (Place ID BCC S22-36), the Queensland Heritage Register
(QHR) (Place ID 600140), the National Trust of Queensland Heritage List
(BNE1/0047), and the Register of the National Estate (Place ID: 008414).
The heritage register boundary of the Regent Theatre comprises part of Lot 2
on RP49018 and is shown at Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.2:
Heritage Context
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1.6
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The Regent Theatre is to be redeveloped by Brookfield Multiplex on behalf of
the ISPT Property Group. However, the Heritage Registered spaces on Queen
Street and all heritage listed elements are to be retained and conserved with
the Grand Foyer linking to the Regent Tower through existing lower level
entrance doors and off the marble staircase at the upper level. The new Regent
Theatre will contain three multipurpose auditoria within its podium level
accessible from the marble staircase.
The new development is anticipated to be a major new commercial
construction, with the construction of a 40 level commercial office tower and
podium which will include function areas, retail and commercial space,
located on the footprint of the existing ‘cinema box’. The four existing 1980s
cinemas in the cinema box area will be demolished, as will its remnant 1920s
brick walls.
The development will provide an additional 69.403m2 of gross floor area on
part of the existing Regent Theatre and Wintergarden Shopping Centre. The
ground foyer area will be redeveloped, and will include a corporate lounge
and direct passage between Elizabeth and Queen Streets.
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2
BACKGROUND HISTORY
The following provides an overview of the development of Brisbane including
the site of the Regent Theatre on Queen Street. The history of the Regent
Theatre has essentially drawn from the DERM Heritage Register Entry and
research file1
2.1
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRISBANE AND QUEEN STREET
Before the arrival of Europeans, Aboriginal people from various tribal groups,
including the Turrbal and Jagera lived around the present area of Brisbane.
Explorer John Oxley found the Brisbane River in 1823 naming it after the New
South Wales Governor of the time, Major-General Sir Thomas Brisbane. A
convict colony was established at Redcliffe on Moreton Bay in 1824, and by
1825, this had moved to where North Quay now stands.
It was some years before the first free settlers arrived and by 1842 the penal
settlement had closed due to the decrease in convicts being sent from England.
An assortment of entrepreneurs and ex-convicts quickly followed and a town
began to grow around the river. Queensland separated from New South
Wales in 1859 and became a colony with its own local government.
Figure 2.1
Queen Street looking towards George Street c18642
1
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
2
John Oxley Library, Item ID 139497
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By the late 1880s Brisbane was the main centre of commerce and the capital of
the colony of Queensland. Most evidence of convict occupation in the central
business district was gone by this time and the town was beginning to
develop its own distinctive architecture and culture, demonstrated by the
c1889 view up Queen Street in Figure 2.2.
Figure 2.2
View along Queen Street c18893
Construction of the David Jones building in Queen Street commenced in 1909,
and by 1929 a series of extensions resulted in David Jones being a four storey
building along Queen Street. On the opposite side of Queen Street, the
Tattersall’s Club had previously been established some four years earlier,
while the Regent Theatre was also constructed in 1929 adjacent to the
Wintergarden Theatre.
The city grew steadily until World War II when it became the main allied
headquarters in the South Pacific and an influx of Australian and American
servicemen stretched the population to 750,000 people. Industry flourished
and continued to boom post war and Brisbane firmly staked its claim as the
third largest city in the country.
The 1982 Commonwealth Games were hosted in Brisbane and the city
received a massive infrastructure and sporting facilities boost as a result. In
1988 the World Expo was hosted at Southbank, and the event also helped put
Brisbane 'on the map'.
3
John Oxley Library , Item ID 100723
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2.2
THE REGENT THEATRE
The Queen Street site of the Regent Theatre was acquired by William
MacIntosh Mayne, property speculator, in 1892. After his death on 16 August
1921, title passed to his sister Mary Mayne and brother Dr James O'Neil
Mayne of Moorlands.4 The remainder of the Elizabeth Street property was
subsequently purchased by JC Williamson, film director and entrepreneur,
before being transferred to Hoyts Theatres. Dr Mayne's land was leased to
Capitol Theatres Ltd and then sub-leased to Hoyts from 1925 until 1977.5
‘Picture palaces’ were gaining popularity in the 1920s, and in Brisbane
theatres such as the Wintergarden, His Majesty’s, the Majestic, and the Tivoli
were establishing this area of the CBD as the cultural hub of the city. At the
same time, Hoyts theatres were establishing a number of lavish picture
palaces in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide reflecting the opulence and
grandeur of the Hollywood era.
In 1926, approval was given by the City Council to build a new theatre in
Queen Street which was to incorporate all classes of entertainment including
opera, vaudeville and film6. The theatre was designed by Charles N
Hollinshed (the Regent's Melbourne-based architect), Richard Gailey Junior of
Brisbane, and Aaron Bolot (employed by Gailey).7 An early architects’ plan is
shown in Figure 2.3 where it is notable that a number of changes were made
during construction associated with the design of the stair to the mezzanine
level.
Originally referred to as the Capitol Building,8 the name changed to Regent
Building prior to construction. The shape of the block, with its narrow
frontage to Queen Street, determined the theatre's plan. The Queen Street
block comprised the Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer to the theatre, a basement
and four storeys of commercial tenancies, and a shop adjacent to the entrance
opened out to the street. The theatre auditorium was constructed on the
broad part of the site facing Elizabeth Street,9 which also comprised six shops
and an entrance to the basement carpark. An early view of the Regent
Theatre is seen in Figure 2.4.
4
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
5
Ibid
Environmental Protection Agency, Regent Theatre Showcase Cinema (No.1) and
Adjoining Vestibule and Bar Assessment of Significance, Cultural Heritage Branch,
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency 19 August 2009, p4.
6
7
8
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
The A & B Journal of Queensland, July 11 1927
9Environmental
Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
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Figure 2.3
Orchestra Level10
Figure 2.4
Regent Theatre Queen Street c192911
10
The A & B Journal of Queensland July 1927
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The Brisbane Regent Theatre opened on 8 November 1929 and was described
as ‘palatial, ‘rich in detail’ and ‘strikingly beautiful12. The interior was highly
decorated in a confection of styles including Gothic, Baroque and Classical in
accordance with the picture palace guiding principle.13
The auditorium, then one of the largest in Australia, provided seating
accommodation for over 2,500 patrons (see Figure 2.6). It included an
extensive stage, 56 feet wide by 28 feet deep, (17 metres by 8.5 metres) a movie
screen, modern lighting facilities, three talking machines and a £25,000
Wurlitzer Organ from New York, which in today’s terms would have cost
close to one million dollars. Two staircases led from the mezzanine floor to
the dress circle. The large oval dome above the stalls featured a one ton
bronze chandelier.
The proscenium arch, lobby and dome were embellished with decorative
plaster work by Picton, Hopkins and Son P/L in Melbourne, assisted by the
local Decorative Tile Company who were responsible for the marble tiling14.
Mollocco Brothers of Sydney created the marble work. The theatre was
erected by AJ Dickenson at a cost of £300 000 and the Queen Street building
was constructed by J and EL Rees. 15
Furniture and artworks used throughout the building were selected by the
Managing Director of Hoyts, Frank Thring Senior during his travels through
Europe.16 Total costs for construction and fitout including furniture and
paintings was estimated at around £400 000.17
11National
12
Library of Australia, Item ID vn3420603
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140.
Environmental Protection Agency, Regent Theatre Showcase Cinema (No.1) and
Adjoining Vestibule and Bar Assessment of Significance, Cultural Heritage Branch,
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency 19 August 2009, p5.
13
14
15
Ibid
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
Environmental Protection Agency, Regent Theatre Showcase Cinema (No.1) and
Adjoining Vestibule and Bar Assessment of Significance, Cultural Heritage Branch,
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency 19 August 2009, p6.
16
17
Ibid, p5.
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Figure 2.5
Interior view c192918
After James Mayne and Mary Mayne died in 1939 and 1940 respectively, their
estate was left to the University of Queensland as the sole beneficiary. The
introduction of television in Queensland in 1959 and increase in motor vehicle
ownership and drive in theatres saw a decline in the popularity of picture
palaces.19
Hoyts and the Mayne Estate began investigating opportunities for
redevelopment of the Regent Theatre in 1969,20 with plans published in the
Courier Mail in 1973 prompting an assessment of the buildings heritage
values, and subsequent inclusion in the National Trust of Queensland’s
heritage list.
Architectural firm, Lange L. Powell, Dods and Thorpe were commissioned to
design the redevelopment of the theatre which involved demolition of the
theatre auditorium and replacement with a series of smaller cinemas.
Following a number of revisions of the initial plans, Brisbane City Council
approved the final plan in June 1978 which involved retention of the entrance
hall, grand foyer, café and offices, and replacement of the auditorium with
four cinemas and a shopping arcade.
18
National Library of Australia, Item ID vn342021.
Environmental Protection Agency, Regent Theatre Showcase Cinema (No.1) and
Adjoining Vestibule and Bar Assessment of Significance, Cultural Heritage Branch,
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency 19 August 2009, p6.
19
20
Ibid
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Following approval for the redevelopment, the National Heritage
Commission announced the theatre would be included on its National
Register21, and a ‘Save the Regent’ campaign was launched.
The final film was shown in the Regent Theatre in August 1978 and
demolition began in December the same year (See Figure 2.6).
Local architect Ian Swan was engaged as a theatre design consultant for the
project, and has reported that the only original fabric to be reused in the
redevelopment was the grilles, lanterns and balustrades inside the blind
archways of the Showcase Cinema walls, and the decorative material in the
vestibule and bar areas22.
The new four cinema complex opened on 2nd August 198023, and in 1994 the
remnant 1929 component of the Regent Theatre including the Entrance Hall,
Grand Foyer and Offices were permanently entered in the Queensland
Heritage Register.
Figure 2.6
Demolition of Theatre Auditorium 24
Environmental Protection Agency, Regent Theatre Showcase Cinema (No.1) and
Adjoining Vestibule and Bar Assessment of Significance, Cultural Heritage Branch,
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency 19 August 2009, p6.
21
Environmental Protection Agency, Regent Theatre Showcase Cinema (No.1) and
Adjoining Vestibule and Bar Assessment of Significance, Cultural Heritage Branch,
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency 19 August 2009, p7.
22
23
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
24
Courier Mail, 25 October 1979
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3
DESCRIPTION
The following description of the Regent Theatre is derived from the DERM
heritage citation25.
3.1
EXTERIOR
The Queen Street facade of the Regent Theatre is in the classical revival style
and has some Italianate detailing. It is a four storey building with three
window bays across. The original awning form to Queen Street survives but
original bronzed fascia and soffit cladding was replaced by 1980 with new
folded metal. Above the awning the first floor level has arched window
openings with moulded keystones. This level has rustication in the form of
render imitating stonework. The upper two levels have square window
openings. These are separated by plain giant order pilasters with ornate
moulded capitals. Paired pilasters occur to each side of these windows at each
end of the facade. The second floor windows have Italianate balusters at their
base between the pilasters. The panels between the capitals above the third
floor windows have decorative festoons. The frieze above the capitals has
paired rosettes at each end with the name 'REGENT BUILDING' in the centre.
A large cornice supported on closely spaced brackets appears above this. The
parapet has open sections with balusters in line with the window openings
below.
Elizabeth Street has a large relatively unadorned facebrick facade with three
high rendered arched recesses with decorative cast iron panels located
centrally. The heads of the recesses are rendered to imitate voussoirs. A tall
concrete parapet with dentiled cornice runs across the width of the building.
The top of this originally had a shallow apex but this was altered in the 1979
works. Two roundels with moulded grotesques are situated between the tops
of the three arched openings. A moulded cornice runs across below the
recesses. A plain rendered panel is located between this and the cantilevered
awning. On the northern side the remains of what was a three storey office
which originally had an air conditioning cooling tower above can be seen,
however, this was extensively altered during the 1979 works when its walls
were extended to match the new parapet height. A comparison can be made
between what survives today (Figure 3.1) and the drawings of the Elizabeth
Street façade published in The A & B Journal of Queensland in July 1927
(Figure 3.1).
25
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
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Figure 3.1
Elizabeth Street Façade 201026 (left) and Proposed Façade 192727 (right)
The side walls of the “cinema box” originally followed the line of the theatre
ceiling and the fly tower exhibited a shallow gable roof. This detail can be
seen in the distance in the c1942 photograph (Figure 3.2).
Figure 3.2
c1942 View down Elizabeth Street with south wall of Regent Theatre in the
distance28
26
ERM 2010
27
A&B Journal of Queensland July 1927
28
State Library of Victoria, c1942, Item ID an003653.
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As a result of the 1979 work, the apex of each of these wall elements was
removed and a straight parapet was formed by infilling with brickwork to
establish a new level parapet to accommodate a new shallow pitched longrun
ribbed roof. Evidence of the three back light side windows to the theatre can
be seen on the southern and northern elevations along with other now
enclosed openings (Figure 3.3).
Figure 3.3
View of the “cinema box” from the south29
The entrance doors to the theatre are recessed with this originally providing
an alcove for feature film and performance advertising in glazed cabinets.
These elements still remain but are covered by later television monitors and
cabinetry. Original bi-folding timber and glass doors survive off Queen Street
but physical evidence provided by two lines of barrel bolt floor fixings
indicates the doors have been moved at some stage. Marble facings to the
Queen Street façade were installed in 1979/80.
3.2
ENTRANCE HALL AND GRAND FOYER LOBBY
The entrance doors lead to a high vaulted ceiling covered in richly decorated
ornamental plasterwork, with painted medieval scenes in each section. A
heavy decorative cornice surrounds the space at the junction with the mottled
finish plaster walls which have equally positioned pilasters with Corinthian
capitals. Two original chandeliers survive and a later ticket counter is on the
right hand side as you enter which was constructed as a part of the 1980
cinemas refurbishment.
29
ERM 2007.
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Panels providing movie advertising were added to each end of the Entrance
Hall in the early 1950s which is demonstrated by their decoration with a
crown likely celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. At this time a
crown is also seen in historic photographs above the Queen Street awning.
Figure 3.4
Queen Street Entrance30 (left) and Lobby31 (right)
A marble staircase the width of the Entrance Hall leads through three sets of
original timber and glass doors into the Grand Foyer. A later coffee bar has
been installed immediately to the left of this stair in an area that is likely to
have contained an earlier milk bar. 1929 and 1950s photographs show the
Queen Street shop tenancy opening into the Entrance Hall of the Regent and
out to Queen Street through bi-fold doors.
The original ticket box was replaced by a now redundant ticket box. The wall
panel in the location of the original ticket box is a later addition. Carpet has
covered the original terrazzo floors, which are likely to be intact beneath.
Television screens have been installed to the right of the entrance portico and
an advertising cabinet has been applied to its left side. The marble threshold
between the Entrance Lobby and Grand Foyer appears to have been replaced
with granite.
Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
The Entrance Lobby is largely as it was originally constructed, with the only
substantial change being:
•
infill of the two openings into what was the milk bar to the right of the
lobby and the area now occupied by the Aromas Coffee Bar and Queen
Street shop;
•
double doors to the lift foyer have been removed; and
•
original ticket box has been removed.
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These changes can be compared with the current arrangements in Figure 3.5.
Figure 3.5
Entrance Lobby looking towards Queen Street c192932 (left) and 200733 (right)
Integrity
The Entrance Hall is highly intact.
3.3
GRAND FOYER
The Grand Foyer space is lofty and extends over three storeys. The space is
dominated by a centrally positioned grand staircase constructed in
Queensland marble that leads to what was the Circle entrance and now
provides access to the two c1980 upper level cinemas. This entrance is
expressed by an arch with gothic tracery.
Entrances to what was the Orchestra level of the theatre can be found flanking
the staircase. The side walls of the Grand Foyer are covered in mottled plaster
with gold paint finish and have miniature balconies (Figure 3.6). At the rear of
each balcony is a large mirror extending to the ceiling. Draped deep red
curtains which contrast with the mirrored surfaces hang from tracery pelmets.
The arches overhead with their colourful medieval figures are supported on
stone columns interwoven with lines of tracery. Evenly spaced ornate
chandeliers are suspended centrally from the foyer ceiling.
32
National Library of Australia, Item ID vn3420596-v, c1929
33
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Figure 3.6
Side Wall of Grand Foyer34
At the outside of the east wall of the Grand Foyer it is expected two niches
and original internal plaster work survive. These features are evident in
Figure 3.7
.
Figure 3.7
West wall of ”cinema box” c1980 35
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Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
The Grand Foyer is intact with only minor superficial changes since 1929.
These changes have included the removal of an original ticket booth against
the west wall, and the introduction of new ticketing box and candy bar in the
northwest corner shown in Figure 3.8. The floor area beneath the candy bar is
a fibre cement topping over a timber floor and this has also covered the
marble border.36
Figure 3.9 compares the view towards the grand stair in 1929 and 2008.
Physical evidence confirms anecdotal evidence that single openings once
connected adjoining buildings north and south of the foyer. Double doors to
the stair beneath the grand stair leading to the basement have been removed.
An original timber door with raised geometric pattern was located at a
storeroom under the grand stair. The Grand Foyer was originally carpeted
with the current carpet likely to be fifth or sixth generation.
Figure 3.8
Grand Foyer with original ticket box c192937(left) and in 200838 (right)
35
36
37
38
Save the Regent
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
National Library of Australia, Item ID vn3707927-v, c1929
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Figure 3.9
Grand Staircase c192939 (left) and in 201040 (right)
Integrity
The Grand Foyer is highly intact.
3.4
BASEMENT
Original plans of the basement area beneath the Entrance Hall and Grand
Foyer show a stairwell below the marble staircase providing access to a switch
room and lobby area, and ramps providing access to the carpark below the
auditorium41. Today the basement comprises a number of large rooms which
have been stripped of previous fitouts, wall cladding and services (see Figure
3.10)
Figure 3.10
Basement of Regent Theatre42
39
National Library of Australia, Item ID vn3707846-v, c1929
40
ERM 2010
Richard Gailey Architect, Basement Floor Plan, Plan of Regent Theatre Queen St
Brisbane Sheet No 1.
41
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Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
In the 1979 redevelopment of the site, McDonalds leased the basement area,43
and remained in this tenancy until the early 2000s.
Figure 3.11
Layout of McDonalds Tenancy in Basement 1980s-1990s44
3.5
CAFÉ AND SHOP
At the Queen Street level, a retail tenancy currently exists adjacent to the
Entrance Hall to the Regent, and above the stairwell which previously
provided access to McDonalds in the basement. The shop is shown at Figure
3.12.
Figure 3.12
Retail tenancy adjacent to the Regent45
Lange Powell, Dods and Thorpe Architects, The Regent Theatre Elizabeth Street
Brisbane – Floor Plan Elizabeth Street Level, Drawing Number 780/102, August 1978.
43
Phillips Smith Conwell Architects, Hoyts Regent Proposed Restaurant Remodel, Stage 2
Site and Key Plan, Drawing Number RM-A01, May 1998.
44
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Behind the shop, and accessible through the Grand Foyer Lobby is Aromas
Café. Seating for the café extends into the Entrance Hall as shown at Figure
3.13.
Figure 3.13
Aromas Coffee Bar46
Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
Following the 1970s redevelopment of the site, the cafe has undergone a
number of small alterations in accordance with its use as a café including new
floor coverings, the addition of suspended ceiling and bulkheads, repainting
and new kitchen fittings.
There is little historical evidence of the original shop on Queen Street other
than early photographs showing bi-fold doors and connection to the Entrance
Hall. The current tenancy has had a suspended ceiling, floor tiles, a partition
between the shopfront and a back room, and floor to ceiling glazing on the
Queen Street frontage installed.
Integrity
Although little is known of the original details of the shop and café, both have
had a number of alterations and consequently do not have a high degree of
integrity. The shop in particular has a very low integrity.
The café has some evidence of a previous wall towards the lift, and may have
part of the original floor intact beneath the later ceramic and carpet tile floor
coverings.
3.6
OFFICES
The offices comprise the four storeys above the Entrance Hall, Grand Foyer
and Shop. Entry to these tenancies is via a lift which is in its original location
at the eastern end of the café. The original stairwell is situated adjacent to this
and originally extended to the basement area, however, this section was
46
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demolished and blocked off when the McDonalds fast food restaurant was
installed in the early 1980s.
The first floor takes up half the floor plan area and runs beside what is the
ceiling area over the Entrance Hall. A room on Queen Street sits over the
lower entrance porch. Levels 2, 3 and 4 are the same plan layout with some
differences as a result of later alterations. Each of these levels has central hall
with toilets between this and the light well.
A secondary stairwell constructed c1979 is on the western end of the light
well. Offices extend south, west and east of the hall. An indented bay
window is on the south elevation. The roof above level four is saw toothed
with the two bays at the Queen Street end providing borrowed light.
The Offices are constructed from solid brick which is exposed externally and
has been painted with a high build textured finish within each of the office
levels. Floors are reinforced concrete and external windows that remain have
‘Crittall’ metal frames. Parquet floors appear to survive at each of the office
levels under carpet but have been exposed and polished at Level 2 (Figure
3.14).
Figure 3.14
Parquet flooring on Level 247
Only two original doors survive and these are the dummy doors against the
Entrance Hall ceiling on the first floor, the remaining doors have been
replaced, presumably during the c1979 alterations.
Original ceilings, which are gypsum plaster over reinforced concrete, survive
above suspended ceilings which are installed at each level except Level 4.
47
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Fibrous plaster ceilings are located at Level 4 except at the open saw toothed
section which appears to be ‘Gyprock’. Ducted air conditioning has been
installed and this is reticulated up the light well from ground level. Windows
around the light well have been removed and the openings bricked in.
The original stairwell is constructed in reinforced concrete with gypsum
plaster finish and has a wrought iron balustrade with moulded timber
handrail and is shown in Figure 3.15.
Figure 3.15
Original Stairwell at Level 148
Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
Changes on Level 1 include the addition of bathroom facilities adjacent to the
light well, and a suspended ceiling containing services such as ducted air
conditioning, carpet over the parquet floor, infilled windows, and a new
staircase adjacent to the light well. A small theatrette exists in the Queen
Street end of Level 1 and it’s fittings suggest that this dates from the 1979
Hoyts redevelopment.
Level 2 also has suspended ceilings throughout, carpet covering the parquetry
floor and the 1980s staircase on the northern side of the light well.
Level 3 has also had suspended ceilings installed throughout, the later
staircase and a number of plasterboard partitions. The original parquetry
floor is exposed in a number of places covered with linoleum in some
locations.
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Similar to Levels 1-3, changes to Level 4 include the later staircase, addition of
new rooms with plasterboard partitions, and new floor coverings over the
parquetry floor.
Integrity
Level 1 appears to be in good condition overall. The installation of services
within the suspended ceiling has been physically intrusive and not in
accordance with best conservation practice
Level 2 is in good condition, with the exterior walls and windows, interior
walls, staircase and light well being the remaining original elements. New
walls have been erected to create office space and there is physical evidence of
the original layout of this level.
Level 3 is used by the public and is in very good condition with high quality
finishes. Although divided by later partitioning there is physical evidence of
the original layout
Level 4 is in good condition, with the exterior walls and windows, staircase
and light well being the original elements. There is no evidence of the early
layout, however, this may be revealed when carpets are removed to reveal the
parquet floor.
The original layout of the offices is still evident, however alterations such as
removal of doors and infilling of windows contributes to a moderate degree of
integrity.
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4
CONDITION
The following section discusses the condition of the building focussing on the
heritage listed section to include Offices, Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer.
Observations were made from the ground, the roof of the Plant Room over the
Grand Foyer and Level One Offices.
4.1
STRUCTURE
The heritage listed section of the Regent Theatre appear to be in good overall
structural condition with no evidence of major cracking of masonry or
subsidence. However, the “Cinema Box” has been affected after basement
excavation on the adjacent building site on the corner of Albert and Elizabeth
Streets caused cracking of masonry and reinforced concrete. This movement
has not appeared to have any impact on the Grand Foyer but this is
continuing to be monitored by a structural engineer with a number of
movement station points established.
4.2
EXTERIOR
The condition of the exterior of the heritage listed section of the Regent
Theatre is discussed in this section and a schedule of maintenance is included
in Annex A.
4.2.1
Roofs
The longrun ribbed roofs over the Grand Foyer and Plant Room above are in
good condition. The condition of the gable, saw toothed and flat roofs over
the Offices and Lift are unknown as these were not visually accessible.
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Figure 4.1
View to West of Grand Foyer Roof49
4.2.2
Walls
West Wall
The west wall which faces Queen Street is in good condition but it is likely to
be due for repainting as part of a necessary 10 year building repainting
maintenance cycle. Some horizontal cracking is evident in the south west
corner of the parapet (see Figure 4.2). The “Crittall” metal windows are in
serviceable condition.
Figure 4.2
West Façade and Cracking at South West Corner of Parapet50
49
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The “Regent” sign is in good condition and the roof and gutter of the Queen
Street awning are sound but requires some clearing and rationalisation of
services equipment.
Figure 4.3
Regent Sign on Queen Stree51t (left) Queen Street awning roof52
South Wall
The south wall masonry and rendered banding appears to be in good
condition and the “Crittall” metal windows serviceable. Galvanised steel
gutters to later timber awning and window hood roofs on this elevation
appear to be corroded. Metal rainwater heads and associated downpipes are
also showing signs of corrosion which may necessitate replacement.
51
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Figure 4.4
South Elevation53
North Wall Light Well
The windows to the north light well have been infilled and the space now
serves as an open services duct where redundant and operational services
combine. A layer of debris was observed over the Ground Level roof.
Figure 4.5
Infilled Windows (left) Northern Light Well (right) 54
53
ERM 2010
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4.3
INTERIOR
The condition of the interior spaces is discussed in this section and detailed
conservation documentation for the Grand Foyer and Entrance Hall, prepared
by ERM in 2008 as part of an Information Request – Heritage Response, is
included in Annex B.
4.3.1
Entrance Hall
ERM’s examination of the fabric showed the Entrance Lobby to be in sound
condition, with the ceiling surfaces and paintings showing no evidence of
failure. This reflects the conservation program carried out in 1996 by Sandy
Burnside and Karel Kellner under the direction of Ian Swan of May and Swan
Architects.55
The wall structure is also generally sound with the only evidence of damage at
lower levels where impacts from furniture have chipped paint and plaster.
Entrance doors from Queen Street and doors into the Grand Foyer have
superficial damage caused by general wear and tear. Terrazzo floors may be
damaged where the original ticket box was removed and where the later ticket
box has been installed.
4.3.2
Grand Foyer
The condition of the Grand Foyer is similar to the Entrance Lobby with the
condition of ceiling and upper walls reflecting the 1996 conservation work.
Once again the physical damage is confined to the lower levels of the walls
where furniture has come in contact. An architrave block is missing from the
north side of the entrance doors from the Entrance Lobby. Some minor
damage has also occurred where electrical and plumbing services, to operate
the later candy bar and ticket box, have been installed.
No visual access was available behind the candy bar fittings along the north
wall so further examination to access condition in this area will be necessary.
However, Ian Swan indicated that the installation of the candy bar fittings
were designed not to physically impact the wall fabric. There is some minor
damage to adjacent walls where fixings have been removed.
The marble border behind the candy bar and ticket box may be damaged
beneath the fibre cement floor topping (12mm) which warrants further
examination. The marble border in front of the marble stair has some cracked
sections. A small section of peeling wall paint was noted below the soffit to
the southern entrance doors to the cinemas.
55
Environmental Protection Agency Files BNE 12358 Volumes 1 and 2
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Figure 4.6
Peeling wallpaper (left) and chipped plaster (right)56
4.3.3
Basement
The basement surfaces condition is poor after the removal of the McDonald’s
tenancy.
4.3.4
Café and Shop
The café area is in good condition and the modern fitout of the shop appears
to be in good condition.
4.3.5
Offices
Overall the offices appear in good condition.
56
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5
CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The method of finding out why a place or object is significant is essential in
order to determine how the heritage values should be conserved. This section
comprises a comparative analysis of similar 1920s theatres in Australia and
provides an assessment and statement of significance taken from the DERM
heritage entry for the Hoyt’s Entertainment Centre57 (see Annex C).
5.1
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Four theatres were chose for comparative analysis to determine the degree of
rarity and representativeness of the Regent Theatre. Four contemporary
theatres were chosen, two of which were constructed as Regent Theatres and
leased by Hoyts Theatres Limited in Sydney and Melbourne, one in the inner
city suburb of New Farm, and another in Sydney built at the same time and of
the same architectural style as the Brisbane Regent Theatre.
5.1.1
Regent Theatre, Sydney
The Sydney Regent Theatre opened in 1928, and was constructed of a design
by Architect Cedric Ballantyne. The building was constructed of rendered
masonry, the façade in George Street was Italianate in design and decoration
(see Figure 5.1), while the interior was designed in a style similar to the Regent
Theatres proposed or already completed throughout Australia.
In the 1970s the building was privately sold and underwent extensive
renovations including addition of new bar and offices, repainting the foyer,
completing the dressing room block, recarpeting and reseating the stalls and a
new restaurant at the street level.
The building was heritage listed in the 1980s at a time when proposals to
redevelop the site were being investigated. The building was subsequently
demolished in 1990 until construction began on a new high rise building in
2006.
57
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
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Figure 5.1
Regent Theatre Sydney58
5.1.2
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
The Melbourne Regent Theatre opened in March 1929 and was one of the
largest in Australia, with the capacity to seat 3277 people. It was designed by
Cedric Ballantyne and combines Spanish Gothic and French Renaissance
styles. The basement level was originally constructed as a cabaret, but
subsequently became a cinema after failure to obtain a liquor license.
In 1945, the main auditorium of the Regent was destroyed by fire, but its
popularity saw it completely reconstructed almost to the original detail within
two years. The building closed in 1970 and remained vacant and neglected
for over 25 years while its future was decided. The building underwent
extensive restoration work in the mid 1990s, reopening in 1996, and has
remained in use as a live theatre venue for the last fourteen years.
58
National Library of Australia, Item ID an24848023-v
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Figure 5.2
Grand Foyer and Auditorium of the Regent Theatre, Melbourne59
5.1.3
Village Twin, New Farm
The Village Twin opened in 1921 as the Merthyr Picture Palace and was a
rendered masonry structure with corrugated iron roof. It became the Astor
Theatre in 1924 following refurbishment of the building which included
remodelling the facade in a Mediterranean style. Further renovation of the
building in 1937 saw the seating capacity increased to 1145 people. Village
Theatres bought the building in 1970 and commissioned further renovations
which involved adapting the original space for twin cinemas located back to
back with a shared projector box between them. The complex also included a
coffee lounge and mini art gallery.
The Village Twin was bought by a property developer in 2003 and proposed
for redevelopment, however an assessment of the structural integrity of the
building found the building to be unsafe the rear half of the building was
demolished in 2008. Today the building remains partially demolished and
barricaded while plans for the future of the site are negotiated.
59
http://www.regenttheatremelbourne.com
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Figure 5.3
Interior of the Building60 (left) and Façade from Brunswick Street61
5.1.4
State Theatre, Sydney
In 1929 the State Theatre opened in Market Street, Sydney. It was designed by
architects John Eberson and Henry White and is Gothic Revival Style with the
State Theatre office building rising ten storeys up above the theatre.
The theatre comprises a Gothic entrance hall with statuary and pan vaulted
ceiling, an Empire Room with brass and bronze grille doors leading to grand
marble faced stair with mirrored walls and domed ceiling, various lounges
and picture galleries containing fountains, sculpture, furniture and paintings,
and an auditorium with vast coffered domed ceiling, seating for 2,800 persons
and a 20,000 piece chandelier.
In 1937, an Art Deco style shopfront was added to the façade, and subsequent
alterations in the 1980s and 1990s included restoration works to the
auditorium, and contemporary art deco alterations to the café. The building
remains in use as a theatre today, and remains in good condition.
60
DERM Village Twin Cinemas, Queensland Heritage Register Entry #602101
61
Google Maps Street view, Accessed 9 June 2010
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Figure 5.4
State Theatre, Sydney62
5.1.5
Summary Comparative Analysis
With the exception of the Village Twin in New Farm, all theatres were built
within two years of the Brisbane Regent Theatre. The original layout of these
buildings were all similar with a grand entrance and foyer leading to a rear
auditorium.
Externally, theatres are typically constructed of rendered masonry with a
large awning on the façade. As a suburban theatre, the Village Twin is a low
scale construction whereas the Regent Theatres discussed above contained a
number of additional storeys which were used to house offices. Village Twin
was unique in containing a mini art gallery while the State Theatre was
unique in its 10 storey office high rise above the theatre.
Internally, entrance halls led to large foyer spaces which were highly
decorative with high ceilings containing ticket booths. The Regent and State
theatres all contained grand staircases similar to that of the Brisbane Regent,
and the Brisbane Regent, Original internal details of the theatres were ornate
and included decorative plasterwork, ornate lighting, plush furnishings, and
decorative ceilings.
The State Theatre is the most intact of the theatres compared, with the Sydney
Regent having been demolished in 1990, the Brisbane Regent having been
partially demolished in the late 1970s, the Village Twin partially demolished
in 2008 and the Melbourne Regent auditorium destroyed by fire in 1945.
While the heritage listed entrance hall, grand foyer and offices of the Brisbane
Regent Theatre has had some alterations, it is comparable with that of the
State Theatre in Sydney and Regent Theatre in Melbourne.
62
Google Maps Street View, accessed 9 June 2010
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In terms of building use, the Sydney Regent Theatre has been demolished and
the Village Twin remains in a partially demolished state while its future use is
decided. All building have had use as a cinema at some stage in their history,
however the State Theatre and Melbourne Regent are the only two which
retina their theatre use today.
This comparative analysis demonstrates that there are more intact examples
of 1920s theatres in Australia, but not in Brisbane. The Brisbane Regent
Theatre is more representative of its type that the Sydney Regent Theatre and
Village Twin, which have been completely or partially demolished, but does
not retain as many characteristics of a 1920s theatre as the Melbourne’s Regent
or State Theatres.
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Table 4.1 Summary Comparative Analysis
Name
Date of
Construction
Architectural Style
Alterations
Integrity
Heritage Status
Current Use
Regent Theatre Brisbane
1929
Gothic Revival
Auditorium demolished in 1978,
and new cinema box added in
early 1980s.
Integrity of Entrance
and Foyer High, rear
auditorium low.
Grand foyer listed at
local,
State
and
National level.
Hoyts
Complex.
Village Twin, New Farm
c1921
Unknown
Rear of building demolished.
Only façade survives,
therefore integrity low.
Listed at local
State level.
Currently
being
redeveloped into new
cinema complex.
Regent Theatre Melbourne
1929
Spanish Gothic and
French Renaissance
Fire destroyed main auditorium
in 1945, rebuilt in 1947.
Refurbished in early 1990s.
Moderate-High.
Listed at local, State
and National level.
Theatre.
Regent Theatre Sydney
c1928
Italian Renaissance
Refurbished in the 1970s and
1980s
Nil. Demolished
1990.
Removed
registers.
Demolished.
State Theatre Sydney
1929
Gothic Revival
Art deco alterations to shopfront
in 1937.
High.
Restoration of the auditorium in
1980s. Contemporary Art Deco
alterations to café in mid 1990s.
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in
and
from
Listed at local, State
and National level.
Cinema
Theatre,
cinema,
presentations
and
convention centre.
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5.2
ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Under Section 35 (1) of the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, a place may be
entered in the Queensland Heritage Register if it meets the State level
threshold for one or more of the following criteria.
(a) the place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of
Queensland’s history;
(b) the place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of
Queensland’s cultural heritage;
(c) the place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an
understanding of Queensland’s history;
(d) the place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a
particular class of cultural places;
(e) the place is important because of its aesthetic significance;
(f)
the place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or
technical achievement at a particular period;
(g) the place has a strong or special association with a particular
community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons;
(h) the place has a special association with the life or work of a particular
person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history.
The place currently meets criterion A,B, D, E and G for entry in the QHR, as
outlined in excerpt from the Heritage Register Entry below.
Criterion
A
Opened in 1929, the location of the Regent Theatre in Queen Street demonstrates
the development of this street as a cultural centre from the 1920s.
Criterion
B
The Regent Theatre is characteristic of a 1920s picture palace, and is one of only
four Hoyts/Regent picture palaces constructed in Australia at this time.
Criterion
D
The Regent Theatre is characteristic of a 1920s picture palace, and is one of only
four Hoyts/Regent picture palaces constructed in Australia at this time.
Criterion
E
The Regent Theatre is valued by the community, and the ornate interior of the
entry foyer has aesthetic quality.
Criterion
G
The Regent Theatre is valued by the community, and the ornate interior of the
entry foyer has aesthetic quality.
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5.3
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Opened in 1929, the location of the Regent Theatre in Queen Street demonstrates the
development of this street as a cultural centre from the 1920s. The Theatre is
characteristic of a 1920s ‘picture palace’, incorporating facilities for movies and live
productions, and is one of only four constructed in Australia at this time. The Regent
Theatre is highly valued by the community, having been a meeting place and social
venue for Brisbane residents and visitors since the 1920s. The entry foyer is ornate
and rich in detail and has high aesthetic significance63.
5.4
DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The level of heritage significance of specific components of a place also need
to be considered, as different components make up different relative
contributions to its heritage value. Loss of integrity or poor condition may
diminish its significance. Table 5.1 provides the categories of grading and
their relative justifications:
Table 5.1
Significance Grading for Regent Theatre
Grading
Justification
Status
Exceptional
Rare or outstanding item of local or
State significance. High degree of
intactness, can be interpreted easily.
Fulfils criteria for local or
State listing.
High
High degree of original fabric.
Demonstrates a key element of the
item’s significance. Alterations do
not detract from significance.
Fulfils criteria for local or
State listing.
Moderate
Altered or modified elements.
Elements with little heritage value,
but which contribute to the overall
significance of the item.
Fulfils criteria for local or
State listing.
Low
Alterations detract from significance
and difficult to interpret.
Does not fulfil the criteria for
local or State listing.
Intrusive
Damaging to the items heritage
significance.
Does not fulfil the criteria for
local or State listing.
These gradings are taken from the NSW Heritage Office guideline “Assessing Heritage
Significance,” 2001, which is the NSW guideline used as best practice model for determining
the extent of significance of a place and its components.
Figures 5.1 to 5.6 show the levels of significance of fabric within the Regent
Theatre. Significance of moveable heritage items is discussed in the
Ministerial Directive III at Section 8.3.
63
Environmental Protection Agency Heritage Register Entry Reference 600140
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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40
Legend
High
Moderate
Low
Intrusive
PLANT
UNALLOCATED
UNALLOCATED
PLANT
Figure 5.1
Heritage Significance Plan
Floor Plan, Basement
Regent Offices
BASEMENT
Client:
Project:
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Queen Street
Brisbane, QLD
Drawing No: 0073780b_C005_R0
Date:
24/06/2010
Drawing size: A3
Drawn by:
JB
Reviewed by: NH
Scale:
Refer
Scale Bar
Not
to to
Scale
0
10
20m
N
Maps and figures contained within this document may be based on third
party data, may not be to scale and is intended for use as a guide only.
ERM does not warrant the accuracy of any such maps or figures.
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 60 Leichardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Legend
High
Moderate
Low
Intrusive
TICKET BOX
GRAND
FOYER
TICKET/
CONFECTIONARY
ENTRANCE HALL
CAFÉ
RETAIL
Figure 5.2
Heritage Significance Plan
Floor Plan,
Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer
ENTRANCE HALL & GRAND FOYER
Client:
Project:
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Queen Street
Brisbane, QLD
Drawing No: 0073780b_C006_R0
Date:
24/06/2010
Drawing size: A3
Drawn by:
JB
Reviewed by: NH
Scale:
Refer
Scale Bar
Not
to to
Scale
0
10
20m
N
Maps and figures contained within this document may be based on third
party data, may not be to scale and is intended for use as a guide only.
ERM does not warrant the accuracy of any such maps or figures.
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 60 Leichardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Legend
High
Moderate
Low
Intrusive
THEATRETTE
HALL
LIFT
WC
WC
STAIR
STAIR
VOID
PROJECTION
Figure 5.3
Heritage Significance Plan
Floor Plan, Level 1
Regent Offices
OFFICES - LEVEL 1
Client:
Project:
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Queen Street
Brisbane, QLD
Drawing No: 0073780b_C001_R0
Date:
24/06/2010
Drawing size: A3
Drawn by:
JB
Reviewed by: NH
Scale:
Refer
Scale Bar
Not
to to
Scale
0
5
10m
N
Maps and figures contained within this document may be based on third
party data, may not be to scale and is intended for use as a guide only.
ERM does not warrant the accuracy of any such maps or figures.
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 60 Leichardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Legend
High
Moderate
Low
Intrusive
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
HALL
LIFT
WC
STAIR
WC
KIT
STAIR
OFFICE
OFFICE
VOID
Figure 5.4
Heritage Significance Plan
Floor Plan - Level 2
Regent Offices
OFFICES - LEVEL 2
Client:
Project:
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Queen Street
Brisbane, QLD
Drawing No: 0073780b_C002_R0
Date:
24/06/2010
Drawing size: A3
Drawn by:
JB
Reviewed by: NH
Scale:
Refer
Scale Bar
Not
to to
Scale
0
5
10m
N
Maps and figures contained within this document may be based on third
party data, may not be to scale and is intended for use as a guide only.
ERM does not warrant the accuracy of any such maps or figures.
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 60 Leichardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Legend
High
Moderate
Low
Intrusive
SURGERY
OFFICE
SURGERY
OFFICE
OFFICE
HALL
LIFT
WC
STAIR
WC
KIT
SURGERY
STAIR
VOID
Figure 5.5
Heritage Significance Plan
Floor Plan - Level 3
Regent Offices
OFFICES - LEVEL 3
Client:
Project:
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Queen Street
Brisbane, QLD
Drawing No: 0073780b_C003_R0
Date:
24/06/2010
Drawing size: A3
Drawn by:
JB
Reviewed by: NH
Scale:
Refer
Scale Bar
Not
to to
Scale
0
5
10m
N
Maps and figures contained within this document may be based on third
party data, may not be to scale and is intended for use as a guide only.
ERM does not warrant the accuracy of any such maps or figures.
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 60 Leichardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Legend
High
Moderate
Low
Intrusive
STORE
STORE
STORE
HALL
LIFT
WC
WC
STAIR
KIT
STAIR
STORE
VOID
Figure 5.6
Heritage Significance Plan
Floor Plan - Level 4
Regent Offices
OFFICES - LEVEL 4
Client:
Project:
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Queen Street
Brisbane, QLD
Drawing No: 0073780b_C004_R0
Date:
24/06/2010
Drawing size: A3
Drawn by:
JB
Reviewed by: NH
Scale:
Refer
Scale Bar
Not
to to
Scale
0
5
10m
N
Maps and figures contained within this document may be based on third
party data, may not be to scale and is intended for use as a guide only.
ERM does not warrant the accuracy of any such maps or figures.
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 60 Leichardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
6
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
6.1
SIGNIFICANCE
The significance of the site provides both constraints and opportunities for
owners and/or users of the building. As described in Section 5, the Regent
Theatre has historical, architectural, aesthetic and social significance and also
has importance in being representative of its type.
The significance of the Regent means that changes which may adversely
impact on the identified heritage values constrain redevelopment
opportunities for the site. However there are also opportunities to enhance
the significance of the sight through appreciation of the aesthetic attributes
and architectural details, use of the site for community events and
interpretation of the history and development of the site.
6.2
LEGISLATIVE CONSTRAINTS
The Regent is entered in local, State and National heritage registers which
have varying degrees of legislative requirements which constrain the site.
6.2.1
Brisbane City Plan Heritage Register
The Brisbane City Plan Heritage Register is a list of places identified as having
local significance. This register is maintained by the Brisbane City Council,
and development of and adjacent to identified places are subject to the
Heritage Place Code and the Demolition Code. These codes ensure that
development within and adjacent to heritage listed properties do not have an
adverse impact on the heritage values of the registered place.
6.2.2
Queensland Heritage Register
The Queensland Heritage Register is a list of places identified as having State
significance. The QHR is maintained by the Department of Environment and
Resource Management (DERM), and subject to the provisions of the
Queensland Heritage Act 1992.
6.2.3
National Trust of Queensland Heritage List
The National Trust has been gathering information about heritage places in
Queensland for more that three decades. This list contains individual
buildings, precincts, natural environment places or culturally significant
artefacts. These listings do not attract any legal protection for a place, nor do
they put the owner of a listed place under any legal obligation.
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6.2.4
Register of the National Estate
The Register of the National Estate (RNE) is Australia's national inventory of
natural and cultural heritage places which are worth keeping for the future. It
was compiled by the Australian Heritage Commission. There are now more
than 12,000 natural, historic and Indigenous places in the Register. With the
introduction of amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Australian Heritage Council Act 2003
in 2004 and 2006 the RNE is no longer classed as a statutory list. However, it
remains a guide to the heritage value of a place.
6.3
REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
6.3.1
Continued Community Use
Redevelopment of the Regent provides opportunities to enhance the historical
and social significance of the site through continued community use,
particularly associated with its theatre or cinema use. Redevelopment
provides opportunities for the Regent to continue to be a place where people
meet and be entertained.
Current proposals for the redevelopment of the Regent allows for continued
public access and the construction of three boutique cinemas in the new
building adjacent to the heritage listed entrance and foyer areas.
6.3.2
New Development to Rear of Site
The Regent auditorium was demolished in the late 1970s and rear of the
Regent known as the “cinema box” has been assessed as not having
significant heritage value to warrant listing on the Queensland Heritage
Register.
Redevelopment of the rear part of the Regent adjacent to the
heritage listed component provides opportunities for the continuation and
interpretation of the Regent Theatre’s social heritage values as well as
innovative modern design and business development.
6.3.3
Redevelopment of Basement Area
The 1980s redevelopment of the Regent saw the basement area, originally
used for carparking, air conditioning plant and shops become a McDonalds
restaurant on the Queen Street side, and retail outlets on the Elizabeth Street
side. Since their closure, this area of the Regent building has been mostly
vacant and currently provides an opportunity to be utilised once again
accessed from the new Regent Tower podium and existing Grand Foyer stair
and Office’s lift and stair.
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6.3.4
Reinvigoration of Area of Mall
The adjacent Wintergarden Shopping Centre is currently being redeveloped
with the aim to reinvigorate this area of the Queens Street Mall. As a cinema
complex, the Regent has been underutilised, and redevelopment of the site
provides an opportunity to reinvigorate this area of the CBD as the cultural
hub of the city.
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7
CONSERVATION POLICY
Opening in 1929, the use of the Regent Theatre has changed over the years
reflecting changes in social and cultural pursuits and the development of new
technologies. In the 1930s live theatre could no longer compete with movies
and by 1938 the Regent Theatre was one of than 60 picture theatres across the
city.64 The 1970s saw a decline in attendance at the Regent, and consequently
the original auditorium was demolished, and the site redeveloped to
incorporate a new four cinema complex. In recent years the market place has
changed again with a further decline in attendance at the Regent, and further
redevelopment is proposed to demolish the ‘cinema box’ on the Elizabeth
Street side of the site.
The following conservation policy focuses specifically on the heritage listed
component of the Regent, comprising the Entrance Hall, Grand Foyer,
Basement and Offices, and aims to provide is guidance in the future
management and conservation of the Regent Theatre.
Conservation policies for the Regent Theatre fall under twelve main categories
shown in Table 7.1 which are described in further detail below.
Table 7.1:
Summary of Policies
Category
General Policies
Fabric and Setting
Sub Category
Burra Charter
1
Adoption of Policies
2
Appropriate Skills
3
Setting and Streetscape
4
Significant Fabric
Building Exterior
Policy Number
5&6
Monitoring
7
New Openings
8
Signage
9
Section 8.4
Building Interior
Moveable Heritage
Maintenance
10
Entrance Hall
11-16
Grand Foyer
17-20
Café
21
Basement
22
Offices
23-25-
Shopfront
26-27
Furniture and Paintings
28
Section 8.3
University
of
Queensland,
Brisbane
Between
the
http://www.library.uq.edu.au/fryer/brisbane_btw/page6.html
64
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
Wars,
n.d.
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Category
7.1
Sub Category
Policy Number
Services
Upgrading and New Services
29
Maintenance
Prioritised Maintenance Schedule
30
Construction Management
Demolition
31-33
Excavation
34
Security
35
Temporary weather Protection
36
Temporary Use
37
Documenting Change
Archival Recording
38-39
Interpretation
Interpretive Strategy
Section 8.2
Compliance
Approvals
40
Implementation
Lodgement
41
Implementation
42
Review
43
DEFINITIONS
The definitions for conservation terms used in this report are those adopted in
The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for places of cultural
significance.
Adaptation means modifying a place to suit proposed compatible uses.
Associations mean the special connections that exist between people and a
place.
Compatible uses means a use which involves no change to the culturally
significant fabric which are substantially reversible, or changes which require
minimal impact.
Conservation means all the processes of looking after a place so to retain its
cultural significance. It includes maintenance and may, according to
circumstance, include restoration, preservation, reconstruction and
adaptation, and will commonly be a combination of more than one of these.
Demolition is confined to actions which reveal structures or relationships of
much greater significance than the structure demolished, or that will remove
intrusions which reduce the significance of the place. At times demolition may
be considered if portions of the site can be opened for new construction that
will facilitate the successful adaptation of the more significant components.
Interpretation means all the ways of presenting the cultural significance of a
place and may include exhibitions, events, publications, art works and other
forms of expressions, and is not confined to the place.
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Maintenance means the continuous protective care of the fabric, contents and
setting of the place, and is distinguished from repair. Repair involves
restoration or reconstruction and it should be treated accordingly.
Preservation means returning the fabric to a known earlier state by removing
accretions of by re-assembling of refixing components without the
introduction of new materials.
Reconstruction means returning the place as nearly as possible to a known
earlier state or the introduction of materials (new or old) into the fabric. It
does not necessarily mean going back to the earliest stage of construction or
even to one date for the entire place. Reconstruction is associated with
recapturing the expression of the place at points in history which are either
important or at which the place demonstrated a greater functional clarity or
design expression. This is not to be confused with either re-creation or
conjectural reconstruction, which are outside the scope of The Burra Charter.
Restoration means returning the existing fabric of a place to a known earlier
state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components without
the introduction of new material.
Setting conservation requires the retention of an appropriate visual setting
and other relationships that contribute to the cultural significance of the place.
7.2
GENERAL POLICIES
The Regent Theatre is a recognised place of cultural heritage significance. The
Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural
Significance, 1999, the Burra Charter, is widely recognised for its guiding
principles on the conservation in Australia in terms of the physical fabric. It
contains basic conservation principles in a range of articles, which address
cultural significance and how to protect it. This conservation management
plan advocates an understanding of those principles which include:
• The place itself is important;
• Understand the significance of the place;
• Understand the fabric;
• Significance should guide decisions;
• Do as much as is necessary, as little as possible;
• Keep records; and
• Do everything in a logical order.
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Policy 1: The conservation and development of the Regent Theatre, its fabric
and uses, shall be carried out in accordance with the principles of
The Burra Charter.
7.2.1
Adoption of Policies
The policies recommended in this Heritage Management Plan shall be
endorsed as a primary guide for management as well as future planning and
development work.
Policy 2: This Heritage Management Plan should be adopted by owners and
users of the site to guide the ongoing care and conservation of the
building.
7.2.2
Appropriate Skills
In accordance with Article 27 of the Burra Charter, any building works on the
site should be monitored and undertaken by suitably qualified tradespeople
and professionals with experience in heritage conservation. Works involving
the use of the local community should be supervised by a heritage
professional. A log of all new work should also be kept.
Policy 3: People skilled and experienced in protecting and conserving
historic places should be involved in conservation and building
work at the Regent Theatre.
7.3
FABRIC AND SETTING
The conservation policy identifies the most appropriate way of caring for the
fabric and setting of the place arising out of the Statement of Significance and
other constraints.
7.3.1
Setting and Streetscape
Historically, the Regent Theatre has had considerable streetscape qualities.
However these have been diminished over time with the construction of the
Queen Street Mall and subsequent redevelopments including the addition of a
dining establishment directly in front of the building.
Policy 4: Future redevelopments of the Queen Street Mall should incorporate
an open space area to the front of the building to allow for the enhancement of
the streetscape values of the Regent Theatre.
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7.3.2
Significant Fabric
Section 5.5 of this HMP identifies the significance values of the complex which
can be used as a guide when proposing changes to fabric.
Policy 5: Changes to significant fabric should be minimal and Figures 5.1-5.6
should be used as a guide.
Original and early fabric, including moveable heritage items such as furniture
and paintings are of primary cultural significance and should be carefully
conserved, while elements identified as low or intrusive may not contribute
to, or may actually detract from the significance of the place.
Policy 6: Fabric identified as intrusive are detrimental to the significance of
the place and should be removed, and fabric designated low
significance may also be removed if there is opportunity for
original fabric to be revealed.
7.4
BUILDING EXTERIOR
7.4.1
Monitoring
The exterior of the building has undergone a number of alterations including
new signage and later cladding and soffit to awning. From the street level, the
Queen Street elevation appears to be in good condition, with the exception of
a small crack in the parapet on the western corner.
Policy 7: Cracking in parapet on Queen Street façade should be regularly
monitored and if there is any change, advice from an engineer with
experience in heritage buildings should be sought.
7.4.2
New Openings
The southern and western elevations of the building visible from the Queen
Street level retain their original window arrangement, and contribute to the
streetscape aesthetic of the Regent.
Policy 8: No new openings should be made to southern and western
elevations of the building.
7.4.3
Signage
The current Regent signage on the Queen Street elevation is not original and
was added to the building at some stage after 1985. As discussed in Section
8.4, a range of signage has advertised the Regent Theatre throughout its
history, and there is opportunity in the future for signage to be used as part of
the interpretation of the place.
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Policy 9: Where opportunity exists in the future, signage should be
incorporated into the interpretation of the history and
development of the Regent Theatre.
7.4.4
Maintenance
While appearing in good condition from the street level, an investigation of
the awning from the offices found a great deal of leaf litter and debris on the
awning and clogging up gutters.
Policy 10: Appearance of the building, including regular cleaning and
painting should be undertaken in accordance with the Prioritised
Maintenance Schedule at Annex A.
7.5
BUILDING INTERIOR
Internally, the Regent Theatre comprises the Entrance Hall providing access to
the Grand Foyer, Offices and Café. A small retail outlet also exists adjacent
the main entrance at the ground level. There is also a basement level and an
additional four levels of offices above the entrance hall.
7.5.1
Entrance Hall
Just inside the entry to the Regent is a small interpretive case with television
screen and framed photographs of the original Regent Theatre auditorium.
While it is important to retain the interpretive element, the current
arrangement is obstructing original fabric, and interpretation can be
undertaken in a manner more sympathetic to the building and its architectural
values.
Policy 11: Television screens, display case and poster panels in the Entrance
Hall should be removed to reveal original fabric, and
interpretation of the place undertaken in a manner sympathetic to
the physical fabric of the building.
The current ticket office in the Grand Foyer Lobby is not an original feature
having been installed in 1980, and is visually obtrusive.
Policy 12: The ticket booth should be removed.
A small ticket box was originally located on the southern side of the Entrance
Hall and was removed by 1980. An opportunity exists for interpretation of
this ticket box using interpretive exhibition techniques, reconstruction or
construction of a contemporary interpretation in its original location and reuse
as a ticketing outlet.
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Policy 13: The original Entrance Hall ticket box should be interpreted and
could be reconstructed.
There is historical evidence that the Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer Lobby
had a terrazzo floor, which is likely to remain under the existing floor
covering. This presents opportunities for restoration and interpretation.
Policy 14: Where terrazzo floor survives it may be revealed and restored or
interpreted.
Crown topped movie advertising panels appear in 1950s historical
photographs of the Entrance Hall and Lobby, and may have been associated
with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. While not an original
feature, they contribute to the story of the history and development of the
Regent, and perhaps the impact of the Queen’s coronation on Queensland
architecture.
Policy 15: The crown topped panels contribute to the history of the Regent
Theatre and may be retained in future development of the place.
An equitable access stair lift has been installed at the stairs to the Grand Foyer
which is visually obtrusive and detracts from the place’s heritage values. The
original brass handrail has been located and is in storage.
Policy 16: The existing stair lift is visually obtrusive and should be removed
and the existing lift upgraded to connect to the grand foyer level.
The original brass handrail is available for reinstallation.
7.5.2
Grand Foyer
The candy bar is to be removed in the proposed redevelopment which will
expose damage to the walls and floors, and expose the timber floor.
Policy 17: When replacing carpet in the Grand Foyer, opportunities to
interpret the original pattern seen in historic photographs should
be investigated.
Furniture has damaged lower levels of the plaster walls throughout the Grand
Foyer, and general repairs and maintenance should be regularly undertaken
to ensure the conservation and longevity of the building.
Policy 18: The lower levels of the decorative plaster walls should be repaired
and repainted to match existing, and the ceiling and balance of the
walls cleaned in accordance with ERM’s 2008 Information Request –
Heritage Response at Annex B.
A storage room has been formed beneath the Office stairs with access from the
west wall of the Grand Foyer. This storage area, the adjacent liftwell and later
opening should be altered for the provision of equitable access from the
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Entrance Hall into the Grand Foyer which is less visually obtrusive than the
existing stairlift.
Policy 19: The storage room, liftwell and opening in the wall to the Grand
Foyer may be altered for the provision of equitable access from the
Entrance Hall into the Grand Foyer.
An original ticket box was positioned along the west wall of the Grand Foyer
up until the 1979/80 cinemas construction phase. An opportunity exists for
interpretation of this ticket box using interpretive exhibition techniques,
reconstruction or construction of a contemporary interpretation in its original
location and potential reuse as a ticketing outlet. This activity would need to
be coordinated with proposal for equitable access from the adjacent lift.
Policy 20: The interpretation of the original 1929 ticket box should be
investigated.
7.5.3
Café
Documentary evidence regarding the café is limited, however historic
photographs provide information that it originally extended to Queen Street
through bi-fold doors and into the Entrance Hall via three of the existing
square arched openings. Aromas is a compatible use for this area of the
building.
Policy 21: The current use of the café tenancy is compatible with the heritage
values of the place, and may be retained in future development and
can be extended to include the shop.
7.5.4
Basement
While the original details of the basement are unknown, the impact of the use
the site as a fast food outlet for more than two decades is evident in the lack of
original or significant fabric surviving. The stair from the offices was removed
at basement level as a result of the McDonalds tenancy. More recently a
firewall was constructed at the bottom of the stairs from the Grand Foyer. In
its current condition, the basement comprises a large area with potential to be
developed.
Policy 22: Opportunities should be investigated for the future use of the
basement area which are compatible with its heritage values
including the removal of the firewall and potentially the
reconstruction of the Offices stair.
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7.5.5
Offices
While the upper floors of the building are currently or have historically been
used as office space, there may come a time when this use will change.
Therefore it is necessary to ensure that additions are minimal and reversible.
Policy 23: New office fitouts should be easily reversible with lightweight
plasterboard partitions and fixings into original and early fabric
minimised.
Policy 24: In according with the significance mapping (Figure X) the two
original doors on Level 1 of the offices should be retained in
addition to the form and material of the original stairwell.
The original parquet floor is exposed in the tenancy on Level 2, and is likely to
exist beneath later floor coverings on the other levels of the offices.
Policy 25: Parquet floors should be exposed and restored where still existing.
7.5.6
Shopfront
Opportunities to restore the shopfront are limited by lack of detail other than
evidence that originally the opening contained bi-fold doors. An exit door
from the Offices is located in the northern end of the existing shopfront which
is unobtrusive.
Policy 26: The reinstallation of the bi-fold doors could be undertaken in the
context of the extension of the original café foot print.
Policy 27: The fire exit door can remain but further fire exit doors in this
location would be undesirable.
7.6
MOVEABLE HERITAGE
7.6.1
Furniture and Paintings
ERM has conducted an audit of moveable heritage items to include paintings
and furniture known to be original to the 1929 Regent Theatre. Their
management is addressed in the Ministerial Direction in Section 8.
Policy 28: Original furniture items and paintings should be retained,
conserved and reused where possible in the new development
7.7
SERVICES
7.7.1
Upgrading and New Services
The current chandelier and candelabra lights in the Entrance Hall and Grand
Foyer are likely to need upgrading along with the installation of new lighting
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systems to provide enhanced lighting to these spaces. Installation of new fire
protection services will also be required. Retention of the appearance of
existing light fittings and concealment of reticulation and other services is
paramount.
Policy 29: New services such as ducting, cabling, plumbing, wiring and fire
services should be installed using existing voids and cavities where
possible and the appearance of existing original light fittings is to
be retained.
7.8
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance is an essential part of owning a heritage property and ensuring
its preservation for the future.
7.8.1
Prioritised Maintenance Schedule
Policy 30: The faults outlined at Section 4 should form the basis of a
prioritised schedule of maintenance, and monthly, annual and five
yearly inspections undertaken.
7.9
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
7.9.1
Demolition
Cinema Box
It is proposed that the existing “cinema box” is completely demolished.
The west wall of the “cinema box” currently extends the width of the site and
takes in the connection with the east wall of the Grand Foyer. The reinforced
concrete frame of the 1979/80 conversion of the Regent Theatre to four
cinemas within the “cinema box” appears to be generally structurally
independent of the surrounding brick walls. The demolition of this reinforced
concrete frame will need to be carefully controlled during the work to ensure
there are no vibration or impact loads applied to the masonry walls of the east
end of the Grand Foyer.
Policy 31: Demolition of reinforced concrete and adjoining “cinema box”
walls in the area of the east wall of the Grand Foyer should be by
hand operated jack hammers.
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It is proposed that the brick masonry west wall of the “cinema box”, that
flanks each side of the Grand Foyer, will be cut at the junction of the Grand
Foyer transverse walls and demolished.
Policy 32: This demolition work should be carried out by hand to ensure no
physical or vibration damage occurs to the fabric of the Grand
Foyer.
Plant Room No 2
Should the removal of Plant Room No 2 above the Grand Foyer ceiling be
contemplated there is a potential risk to the foyer ceiling. This plant room has
a reinforced concrete beam spanning the width of the Grand Foyer supporting
a “Spandeck” reinforced concrete floor. If demolition were to proceed then a
20mm particle board or similar covering should be installed and supported by
the existing roof framing to protect the painted plaster ceilings below.
Boarding will need to be in narrow strips and the existing ceiling space hatch
possibly widened to facilitate access.
Policy 33: Should demolition of Plant Room No 2 be decided protection
measures to protect the Grand Foyer must be implemented.
7.9.2
Excavation
The proposed development of the Regent Theatre includes the excavation of
the area for the proposed Regent Tower to a level 5.0m below the existing
basement floor level. It is anticipated this excavation will expose the existing
Regent Theatre foundations and will be below their current bearing level.
Figure 7.1 provides some insight into the foundation structure adjacent the
east wall of the Grand Foyer where reinforced concrete piles and pile caps are
indicated and circled in red.
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Figure 7.1
Part August 1978 Sections (Lange L Powell, Dods and Thorpe Architects)
Policy 34: Structural engineering design during excavation and new
construction will need to ensure nil settlement of the Regent
Theatre foundations adjacent the Regent Tower excavation.
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7.9.3
Security
When the Regent Theatre is closed at the commencement of the Regent Tower
construction project, security measures should be put in place to ensure
unauthorised access to the building is controlled. Ideally a 24 hour on site
security patrol should be operated within the Regent Theatre. Openings in
the east wall and basement should have secure temporary walls installed.
Policy 35:
7.9.4
Security measures must be implemented when the Regent Theatre
closes and during construction.
Temporary Weather Protection
As result of the demolition of the “cinema box” the current east wall of the
Grand Foyer will become exposed and the current openings from the Marble
Stair, the lower level double doors to existing cinemas and the basement will
be open to the weather. Weather protection should be through the
application of a heavy weight pvc covering batten fixed to the full height of
the masonry wall or by well secured tarpaulins.
Policy 36: The exposed wall and openings should have temporary weather
protection applied after the openings are secured from
unauthorised entry.
7.9.5
Temporary Use
If it is proposed that the existing Regent Theatre Offices on Queen Street or
other areas of the Regent Theatre are to be used as construction site offices,
then protective coverings should be installed over all historic fabric that will
be impacted where access between offices and other parts of the construction
site is required. Walls in the Grand Foyer and Entrance Hall should have
solid hoardings erected. Terrazzo floors in the Entrance Hall, marble stairs in
the Grand Foyer and parquet flooring in the offices should be covered with
plywood over a layer of felt.
Policy 37: Protective covering should be installed over all historic fabric
affected by any temporary use of the Regent Theatre.
7.10
DOCUMENTING CHANGE
7.10.1
Archival Recording
Articles 31 and 32 of the Burra Charter recommend documenting changes and
keeping records of a heritage place. The DERM guidelines for archival
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recording include the preparation of measured drawings of the site which
include:
•
A location plan;
•
A site plan (1:500 or 1:200);
•
A floor plan/s (1:100 or 1:50); and
•
Any other significant details (1:20 or 1:10).
Photographic recording may also be a useful prior to any alterations on site.
Photographic recording should include negatives and proof sheets of black
and white and colour photographs in 35mm. Specific photographs should
include:
•
General views to and from the site;
•
Relationship of the place to its surroundings;
•
Record of individual features including close ups and contextual
photographs of the item; and
•
Any significant details.
Policy 38: Where loss or alteration of original fabric is to occur, archival
recording should be undertaken in accordance with DERM
guidelines.
Policy 39: Records of changes to the Regent Theatre should be retained by the
building owner, and forwarded to DERM for retention in their
archives.
7.11
INTERPRETATION
Heritage interpretation is a means of sharing culture and history within the
local and wider community. It is also a means of passing on knowledge and
appreciation of a place’s cultural heritage to future generations so this is not
lost. Interpretation should be an integral part of the experience of significant
heritage places where site access is feasible within security and safety
requirements.
Interpretive consultants X Squared Pty Ltd+Peter Emmett have been
commissioned to prepare an interpretive strategy for the Regent as part of the
Ministerial Directive II. More detail is at Section 8.2.
7.12
COMPLIANCE
As the Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer are listed in the Queensland Heritage
Register and the Brisbane City Council City, City Plan Heritage Register,
consultation should be undertaken with staff of the Brisbane City Council
(BCC) and DERM’s heritage staff prior to undertaking future work.
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7.12.1
Approvals
Furthermore, it is necessary to obtain relevant permits and approvals when
undertaking work to a heritage listed place including proposals to demolish,
alter or obstruct significant fabric. DERM have a number of pre-approved
works that are consistent with Burra Charter principles known as General
Exemptions which cover general maintenance and minor repairs to a place.
However, more extensive work with potential to impact on the heritage
values of the place requires approval from DERM and BCC and either an
exemption certificate or development application to be made
Policy 40: Minor works and maintenance should endeavour to be undertaken
in accordance with DERM General Exemption guidelines, and
approval sought from relevant authorities for works beyond the
scope of these guidelines.
7.13
IMPLEMENTATION
It is essential that the HMP be available to building owners, occupants,
contractors and heritage authorities, and for the document to remain up to
date.
7.13.1
Implementation
This HMP should be adopted by the owner, and copies provided to building
manager, tenants and contractors. Recognition of the HMP should also be
formalised by way of amendments to lease agreements.
Policy 41: This HMP should be adopted by building owner, and copies
provided to all kep parties involved in the day to day management
and use of the Regent. Lease agreements should also be altered to
recognise the HMP.
7.13.2
Lodgement of Documents
Article 28 of the Burra Charter recommends storage of site information and
records in a public repository such as public archive, library of Government
department. It is recommended that any future archival recordings be
provided to the DERM Cultural Heritage Branch as a record of the change to
the building, and the original documentation placed in the John Oxley
Library.
Policy 42: This HMP and any future archival recordings of the Regent
Theatre should be submitted to DERM and the original copy
lodged with the John Oxley Library.
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7.13.3
HMP Review
For this HMP to remain a useful tool for the care and conservation of the
Regent Theatre, it needs to be regularly reviewed and updated.
Policy 43: This HMP should be reviewed and updated at the completion of
the Regent Tower development project and every five years
thereafter, or when the use or the management of the Regent
Theatre changes.
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8
FULFILMENT OF MINISTERIAL DIRECTION
As a condition of the preliminary building approval, the following is required,
as stipulated by the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning:
This section discusses each of the issues required to be addressed in this HMP.
8.1
DIRECTIVE I
Identifies and details the internal treatment, materials, colours and finishes of the
Redesigned Regent Theatre in accordance with the ICOMOS Burra Charter, 1999.
The Regent Tower development includes the “Redesigned Regent Theatre”
which is made up of three contemporary design multifunctional auditoria.
The largest auditorium has seating for 300 people and the two smaller
auditoria seating for 60 people. The auditoria are accessible from the Regent
Grand Foyer space at the top of the marble staircase. The floor plan layout of
the new theatres and their relationship with the Regent Grand Foyer prepared
by John Wardle Architects is shown in the following two figures (Figures 8.1,
Floor Plan Level 2; and Figure 8.2, Floor Plan Level 03) and also in the cross
section supplied at Figure 8.3.
The Australian ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites)
Charter for the conservation of places of cultural significance (the Burra
Charter) sets a standard of practice for those who provide advice, make
decisions about, or undertake works to places of cultural significance
including owners, managers and custodians. The Charter provides specific
guidance for physical and procedural actions that should occur in relation to
significant heritage places.
In this case the Entrance Hall, Grand Foyer and Offices, as shown in Figure 1.2
comprises the significant heritage place entered in the QHR and therefore
subject to management in accordance with the Burra Charter. The cinema box
area is a later development and has been assessed as not significant by the
Queensland Heritage Council on a number of occasions.
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LIFT
GRAND FOYER
SERVICES
VEHICLE ENTRY
RAMP
LEVEL 2
FOYER
LIFT LOBBY
VEHICLE EXIT
RAMP
RAMP
RAMP
STAIR
SERVICES
FOYER BELOW
MULTI-PURPOSE
AUDITORIUM 1
SERVI
CES
SERVICES
Client
ISPT
Project No.
John Wardle
Architects
Level 10
180 Russell Street
Melbourne Victoria
3000 Australia
Telephone
+61 3 9654 8700
Facsimile
+61 3 9654 8755
Email
johnwardle@johnwardle
architects.com
' 2007 John Wardle
Pty Ltd Architects
ABN 83 006 814 268
Project REGENT, WINTERGARDEN & HILTON
Drawing No.
BRISBANE
Title
LEVEL 02 FLOOR PLAN
Scale
0708
BROOKFIELD MULTIPLEX
Date: 08-11-2010 Drwn:
SK807
Co-Ord:
1:200@A3
Revision
Chck:
Figure 8.3 Cross Section
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The interior of the Redesigned Regent Theatre is proposed to be decorated in
a modern idiom. Floors are to be carpeted using heavy duty broadloom
looped pile. Walls in the auditorium foyer are to include curtaining, Helidon
sandstone and Blackbutt timber panelling. Walls in the Auditorium are to be
covered in a combination of clear finished Blackwood timber acoustic panels,
leather finished wall panels and curtaining. Ceilings in the auditorium are
flush plasterboard finished with low sheen acrylic paint. Ceilings in the
Auditorium Foyer are plasterboard with a painted finish. Auditorium seating
is fully upholstered with tilt back mechanism. Doors are timber with bronze
anodised aluminium trim.
By presenting the interior elements identified above in a clearly modern way,
they will be readily identifiable as new work. This approach is in accordance
with Burra Charter Article 22.2. The Article states:
“New work becomes part of the story of the place. Don’t confuse or falsify the
story by disguising new work as old.”
Article 22 further discusses that:
“To avoid distorting or obscuring significance, you have to understand significance.
Take account of the specific characteristics of the place and what makes it important...
New work is less likely to distort or obscure significance if both the new work and the
existing forms and components of the place remain recognisable…Taken together, the
new work should be similar to (but not imitate) the existing significant fabric... New
work may be appropriate when it allows a significant use to continue and where it
assists in retaining associations and meanings.”
The concept of reconstruction of the interior of the original Theatre in the
auditorium was raised and considered by the project team, however has been
deemed to be not in accordance with Burra Charter principles. The Burra
Charter (Article 1.8) defines reconstruction as:
“Returning a place to a known earlier state and is distinguished from restoration by
the introduction of new material into the fabric.”
Article 20.1 and 20.2 (Reconstruction) further state:
“Reconstruction is appropriate only where a place is incomplete through damage or
alteration and only where there is sufficient evidence to reproduce an earlier state of
the fabric…Reconstruction should be identifiable on close inspection or through
additional interpretation.”
8.2
DIRECTIVE II
Identifies, conserves and incorporates into the Redesigned Regent Theatre, or any
other publically accessible areas within the development, any existing heritage
artefacts as an interpretive heritage story telling and path finding journey
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Interpretive consultants X Squared Pty Ltd+Peter Emmett were commissioned
by Brookfield Multiplex/ISPT in March 2010 to prepare an Interpretive
Concept to address the above HMP requirement.
The interpretation concept is focussed on providing the visitor with a sensory
experience as they move through the space, to enhance appreciation of the
grandeur of the site, and its associated heritage values. The interpretation
program will draw on the concept of Theatres as ‘performance spaces’,
designed to choreograph the movement of people through spaces, moods and
sensations. Achievement of this experience will be afforded using a variety of
media and sources, and will focus primarily on the heritage listed spaces as an
artefact within which to centre the interpretive program. The program will
reveal the history of and meanings attributed to the Regent Theatre through
interpretation of its suite of spaces and material fabric.
The current proposed Interpretive Concept is attached at Annex D and is
summarised in Table 8.1. This is followed by a layout drawing of the
Interpretive Concept elements, and a perspective of the auditorium interior.
It should be noted that as of April 2010, this is a work in progress and may be
subject to change.
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Table 8.1
Summary of Interpretive Concept
No.
Area
1
EXTERIOR
1.1
Regent Sign
2
ENTRANCE PORTICO
2.0
2.1
Theme
Interpretive Elements
Regent identity in Queen Street
Retain Sign as is
Entrance Portico
Important threshold between mall and lobby
Light the space to encourage the welcoming transition between mall
and entrance lobby
Place Sign
What is this place?
Side alcove – brief history of place since 1929
Good lighting – visible when doors closed
2.2
Tenant Directory
What / who is here now?
Side alcove – list and description of tenants – indicates continuity of
screen culture
Good lighting – visible when doors closed
2.3
What’s On? Sign
3
ENTRANCE LOBBY
3.0
Entrance Lobby
3.1
Poster Panels
What’s On – current events
Free-standing signage located as per 1929 images during public
functions
Experience of the place
Quality lighting to enhance paintings and space
Key interpretation of stories
Regent stories – the pivotal didactic interpretation for the project
Reconstruct six metal, glass front poster cases c1929
Install 6 poster-sized LCD screens
The LCD “posters” subtly change image and text to tell the key stories
of the Regent, past and present
3.3
Lobby Stairs
Palace of dreams – The Regent 1929
Graphic and text – focus on the quality photographs of 1929
Regent story – 1929-2010
Graphic and text – the history of the Theatre – background, design,
changes, staff and uses
Red carpet – Regent stars
Graphic and text – highlights from film, fashion and stars
Regent and BrisVegas
Graphic and text – Brisbane society life and style
The new Regent
Graphics and text – conservation and tower projects
Theatre of memory
Graphic and text – people record memories of coming to the Regent
Threshold to Grand Foyer
Lighting to articulate threshold
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4.0
Grand Foyer
4.0
Grand Foyer
A new meeting place for Brisbane
A dramatic place to meet, dwell, pass through and return
Multi-functional space for waiting, meeting, working, functions
Lighting is the key to enhance the qualities of the Foyer and influence
the choreography of people in the space
Free wi-fi allows access to the Regent website with simple
introduction and / or layered interpretation based on “poster” panels
material. This will also provide links to screen culture network
4.1
Seating – Perimeter
Restoration to historic location to enhance room comfort
Reinstate the seven ‘gothic’ seats from 1929 in their original location
on the perimeter of the Grand Foyer – softens the edges and
encourages people to dwell in the space
4.2
Seating – Central Lounge Area
A new people place
Continuation of screen culture use
Considered choice of contemporary furniture to create a distinctive
lounge area – to give the Foyer a new identity as a room rather than a
foyer
Threshold space with distinctive soffit decoration
Quality lighting to enhance ceiling
4.3
Under Stairs
Possible use of sound
Possible future access to basement
4.4
Grand Staircase
Central promenade
Use of dramatic lighting to enhance the experience of moving up or
down stairs
Flower arrangements in marble vases – ideally fresh
4.5
Balconies
Ceiling spotting and people observing
Spot lighting and possibly sound installation – ways to encourage
people to dwell and explore ceiling
5
TOWER
5.1
Regent Collage 1
Scenic theatre design tradition
Entry to marble staircase from
Auditorium level
Promenading of theatre-goers
Collage installations of historic elements from 1929 theatre – these are
the most dramatic forms of interpretation of the 1929 Regent, as well
as ways to conserve historic elements
Psychology of theatre
A dramatic collage of forms, patterns, textures – paintings, wall
panels, gills, furniture – with graphics, patterns, textures – a
deconstruction of the mixture of styles that made up the 1929 theatre
– emphasis on the philosophy and design of ‘atmospheric’ scenic
theatres of the 1920s
Install small LCD screens behind grills with imagery of people
moving past as in the social promenading of theatre goers
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5.2
Regent Collage 2
As above
As above
A new cinema meeting place
Work with Architects to coordinate an interpretive layer of
impression and pattern as memory traces of old Regent
(Entry to Grand Foyer area
from tower mezzanine level)
5.3
Auditorium foyer
Free wi-fi allows access to the Regent website with simple
introduction and/or layered interpretation based on “poster” panels
material
This will also provide links to screen culture network
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Figure 8.4 Interpretive Concept Layout Drawing
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8.3
DIRECTIVE III
Provides a comprehensive photographic record of all significant heritage artefacts, their
location and use, and where appropriate stipulates, the proposed location for their reuse within the redesign
In September 2008, ERM conducted a thorough assessment of the Regent
Theatre furniture and fittings. A collection of original loose furnishings was
identified as provenanced to the original 1929 theatre. A number of fittings
and fixtures were also identified that were recovered from the 1929 auditorium
during demolition in 1978 and then incorporated in the redevelopment in the
Showcase Cinema and its associated foyer and bar. These items form the basis
of the Historic Furnishing and Fittings Catalogue, which is provided at Annex
E. It should be noted that the objects included in Table 8.2 are those which, from
the whole collection, ERM has assessed as having the highest significance
value, in terms of their historic significance, integrity and provenance. The
items included in the Catalogue at Annex E but excluded from Table 8.2 are
those which ERM has assessed as possessing low levels of significance, as they
are reproductions (c1980) of earlier furnishings.
A selection of the identified materials, dated to c1929, are to be removed from
their current locations for inclusion in the Interpretive Exhibition. The material
includes six original lanterns and associated grilles, several decorative wall
pilasters and a section of marble capped balustrade within the lower level
foyer, along with a number of furniture pieces and several paintings.
The
tables at Table 8.2 and 8.3 indicate the proposed conservation and use of each
item.
A further directive by DIP has requested that a list of the furniture, paintings,
and building fabric identified in Tables 8.2 and 8.3 is to be supplied to it at the
conclusion of the project detailing the ultimate positioning and/or disposal of
each item.
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Table 8.2 Significant fabric
ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH1
Cinema 1
6
octagonal
metal
lanterns
suspended
from decorative metal
brackets in front of each
of the 6 vaulted arches.
Good
Three lanterns to be included
in interpretive collage in
Level 2 or 3 and the other
three to be in a public space in
the
Regent
Tower
redevelopment
RH3
Cinema 1
Gilded
plasterwork
above grilles.
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
RH4
Cinema 1
Decorative
metal grilles.
RH5
Cinema 1
Plaster balustrade .
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spindle
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3.
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH6
Entrance to bar area in Cinema 1 foyer.
Cast
terracotta
balustrade with marble
capped handrail.
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3.
RH7
Entrance to bar area in cinema foyer.
Cast
terracotta
balustrade with marble
capped handrail.
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH8
Entrance to bar area in cinema foyer.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel.
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3..
RH9
Northern Wall of bar area.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel with brass
five candle candelabra.
Good
Selection to be included in
interpretive collage in Level 2
or 3.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH10
Northern Wall of bar area.
Wall mounted brass five
candle candelabra.
Good
Four candelabras to be
retained as spare fittings for
Grand Foyer.
Surplus
candelabras to be offered to
Queensland Museum or some
other
appropriate
organisation.
RH11
Western Wall of bar area.
Wall mounted brass five
candle candelabra.
Good
Four candelabras to be
retained as spare fittings for
Grand Foyer.
Surplus
candelabras to be offered to
Queensland Museum or some
other
appropriate
organisation.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH12
Western wall at entrance to bar area.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel.
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
RH13
Entrance to Cinema foyer.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel with brass
five candle candelabra
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH14
Western wall of Cinema foyer.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel with brass
five candle candelabra.
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
RH15
Western wall of Cinema foyer.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel with brass
five candle candelabra.
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH16
Southwest corner of Cinema foyer.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel.
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
RH17
Southern wall of Cinema Foyer.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel with brass
five candle candelabra.
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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ORIGINAL FITTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH18
Southern wall of Cinema foyer at entrance to
Ciinema 1.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel with brass
five candle candelabra
Good
Surplus wall panels to be
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
RH19
Southern wall of Cinema foyer between the
entrances to Cinema 1 and 2.
Copper bronze plaster
wall panel.
Good
To be considered for reuse in
the
interpretive
collage,
offered to the Queensland
Museum or some other
appropriate organisation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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PAINTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH21
Secure ISPT storage offsite
600 x 900mm pond
scene on canvas in
decorative plaster
frame
Artist
“William Bustard
1928.”
Good
RH22
Secure ISPT storage offsite
660
x
750mm
ocean sailing scene
on
canvas
in
decorative plaster
frame – Artist
“William Bustard
1928.”
Good
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be included in
the Regent Offices.
To be included in the
Regent Offices.
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
86
PAINTINGS
RH23
Secure ISPT storage offsite
1500 x 1000mm
woman
adorned
with
scarf
on
canvas
in
decorative plaster
frame
-Artist
unknown
Good
To be included in the
Regent Offices.
RH24
Secure ISPT storage offsite
1500 x 1000mm
woman seated in
timber frame –
Artist unknown
Good
To be included in the
Regent Offices.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH25
Secure ISPT storage offsite
2 seater Louis
XIV sofa.
Good
RH26
Secure ISPT storage offsite
2 seater Louis
XIV sofa.
Good
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
88
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH27
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
armchair.
Good
RH28
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Round
Louis
XIV style table.
Good
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
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FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH29
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
armchair.
Good
RH30
Secure ISPT storage offsite
2 seater Louis
XIV style sofa.
Good
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
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FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH31
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
console
table
with
top
missing.
Good
RH32
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Round
Louis
XIV style table
with
marble
top.
Fair
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and either used
in
the
interpretive
collage, installed
in
Screen
Queensland
or
Brisbane
International
Film
Festival
offices,
or
alternatively
offered
to
Queensland
Museum.
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
91
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH34
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
console
table
with
top
missing.
Fair/Good
(console from
cross brace
between legs
missing)
RH35
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
console
table
with
top
missing.
Fair
(cross
braces to legs
missing)
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and either used
in
the
interpretive
collage, installed
in
Screen
Queensland
or
Brisbane
International
Film
Festival
offices,
or
alternatively
offered
to
Queensland
Museum .
To be restored
and either used
in
the
interpretive
collage, installed
in
Screen
Queensland
or
Brisbane
International
Film
Festival
offices,
or
alternatively
offered
to
Queensland
Museum.
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92
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH36
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
console
table
with
top
missing.
Good
RH37
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
console
table
with
top
missing.
Fair/Good
(console from
cross
brace
between legs
missing)
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and either used
in
the
interpretive
collage, installed
in
Screen
Queensland
or
Brisbane
International
Film
Festival
offices,
or
alternatively
offered
to
Queensland
Museum.
To be restored
and either used
in
the
interpretive
collage, installed
in
Screen
Queensland
or
Brisbane
International
Film
Festival
offices,
or
alternatively
offered
to
Queensland
Museum.
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
93
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH38
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Round
Louis
XIV style table
with
marble
top.
Fair
RH39
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
planter box
Fair – one leg
missing
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
94
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH40
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
planter box
Fair – one leg
missing
RH41
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
planter box
Fair – one leg
missing
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
95
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH54
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
armchair.
Good
RH60
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
3 seater sofa.
Good
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
96
FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
RH61
LOCATION
Secure ISPT storage offsite
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
Louis XIV style
3 seater sofa.
Good
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
To be restored
and used in the
Grand Foyer area
where originally
located
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97
Table 8.3
ID
Objects for Re-use
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH42
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Fair – one leg
missing
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH43
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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98
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH44
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH45
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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99
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH46
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH47
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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100
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH48
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH49
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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101
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
RH50
RH51
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Fair
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
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102
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH52
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH53
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
chair
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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103
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH55
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
2 seater sofa
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist).
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH56
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
2 seater sofa
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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104
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
RH57
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
2 seater sofa
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist)
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
RH58
Secure ISPT storage offsite
Louis XIV style
2 seater sofa
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist).
Good
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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105
ID
PHOTOGRAPHS
RH59
LOCATION
Secure ISPT storage offsite
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
Louis XIV style
2 seater sofa
(provenance to
be determined
by
antique
furniture
specialist).
Good
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
Restore and reuse in Regent
Tower
redevelopment,
Regent offices or Regent
Café.
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106
8.3.1
‘Cinema Box’ Artefacts
On 12 August 2010, a further set of comments from DIP in relation to the
potential reuse of existing features, fittings, decorative plasterwork and
artefacts in the new development, and their incorporation into the HMP. These
items currently exist in the ‘Cinema Box’ which is outside of the Queensland
Heritage Register boundary, and as such there is no statutory requirement for
their retention under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. Although the ‘Cinema
Box’ and its contents have been assessed as not meeting the threshold
requirement for entry in the Queensland Heritage Register, they have a
connection to the Regent complex, and possess varying levels of heritage
value. As such there is potential for their reuse and interpretation within the
heritage listed building, and the new development. On the 23 August 2010 a
response was tabled confirming how each of these items would be addressed
(See Annex F). The below list schedules each item and the agreed action.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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107
EXTERNAL ELEMENTS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
RH66
East wall of “Cinema Box”
2
No
Cast
cement plaster
roundels
Good
RH67
East wall of “Cinema Box”
2
No
Cast
cement plaster
roundels
Good
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
Photographically
record
and
consider for use in
interpretive
collage or other
location,
internally on the
Regent tower.
Photographically
record
and
consider for use in
interpretive
collage or other
location,
internally on the
Regent tower.
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
108
EXTERNAL ELEMENTS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
RH68
INTERNAL ELEMENT
ID
LOCATION
East wall of “Cinema Box”
PHOTOGRAPH
RH65
LOCATION
Ceiling of showcase cinema
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
DESCRIPTION
3
No
grilles
metal
DESCRIPTION
Sunblaze
(replica piece –
to be confirmed
at removal)
CONDITION
Good
CONDITION
Good
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
Photographically
record
and
consider for use in
interpretive
collage or other
location,
internally
or
externally on the
Regent tower.
FUTURE
MANAGEMENT
Offer
to
Queensland
Museum or some
other appropriate
organisation.
REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010
109
8.4
DIRECTIVE IV
Preserves the existing Queen Street 1970’s Regent sign in its current location
Records indicate that the original Regent sign shown in the 1929 photograph
in Figure 5.1 was removed c1963 and replaced with a new smaller sign
positioned lower on the façade of the building. By 1981 wording on the sign
had changed from “Regent” to “Hoyts” shown in Figure 5.2. Wording
changed back to “Regent” after this at an unknown date.
It is proposed that the existing Regent sign shown in Figure 5.3 is retained as
is.
Figure 8.5
Regent Theatre Queen Street Frontage c192965
65
National Library of Australia, Item ID-vn3420603, c1929
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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110
Figure 8.6
View Along Queen Street from Edward Street 198166
Figure 8.7
Existing Regent Sign on Queen Street Frontage67
66
John Oxley Library, Item ID ibp 00107, 1981
67
ERM 2009
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
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111
Annex A
Prioritised Maintenance
Schedule
1
PRIORITISED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The following schedule of external repairs is a result of ERM’s inspections of
the property on a number of occasions since October 2007 to the present.
Works noted as being high priority should be undertaken immediately,
moderate within two years, and low within the next five to ten years.
Note that internal repairs to the interiors of the Entrance Hall and Grand
Foyer are presented as a set of marked drawings prepared for the Regent
Tower development.
Repair Works
Site Fault
Description of the Work
Priority
Commission condition survey of roofs and
implement report recommendations.
High
Building Exterior – Roofs
Condition of Offices and
Lift shaft roof unknown.
Building Exterior – West Facade
Paint work faded.
Program repainting.
Moderate
Metal windows in fair
condition.
Replace putty as required
lubricate hinges and catches.
Cracking to south west
corner of parapet.
Commission structural engineer to inspect
inside surfaces of parapet.
High
Debris and untidy services
on awning roof.
Clear roof and gutter and rationalise services.
High
and
repaint,
Moderate
Building Exterior – South Facade
Metal windows in fair
condition.
Replace putty as required
lubricate hinges and catches.
and
repaint,
Moderate
Rainwater
heads
downpipes rusted.
and
Replace in galvanised steel or Colorbond to
match original detail.
Moderate
Gutters to skillion roof and
window hood rusted.
Remove window hood and replace skillion
roof gutter with quad profile Colorbond and
connect into downpipe system from main
roofs.
Moderate
Building Exterior – North Light Well
Debris on roof.
Clear roof and gutter of debris and check
downpipe for flow.
Redundant services.
Rationalise services.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
High
Moderate
HMP_ANNEX A/FINAL/17 SEPTMEBER 2010
A1
Annex B
Information Request –
Heritage Response ERM 2008
Regent Theatre
Information Request – Heritage Response
August 2008
Reference: 0073780 rpt4
FINAL REPORT
Regent Theatre
Information Request –
Heritage Response
August 2008
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Level 1, 60 Leichhardt Street
Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Facsimile +61 7 3839 8381
www.erm.com
FINAL REPORT
Regent Theatre
Information Request –
Heritage Response
August 2008
Reference: 0073780 rpt4
For and on behalf of
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Approved by:
Alan Simonic
Signed:
Position:
Partner in Charge
Date:
5 August 2008
This report has been prepared in accordance with the
scope of services described in the contract or agreement
between
Environmental
Resources
Management
Australia Pty Ltd ACN 002 773 248 (ERM) and the
Client.
The report relies upon data, surveys,
measurements and results taken at or under the
particular times and conditions specified herein. Any
findings, conclusions or recommendations only apply to
the aforementioned circumstances and no greater
reliance should be assumed or drawn by the Client.
Furthermore, the report has been prepared solely for use
by the Client and ERM accepts no responsibility for its
use by other parties
CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION
2
CONSERVATION OF THE FABRIC
2.1
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.2
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
ENTRANCE LOBBY
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES TO THE FABRIC TO THE PRESENT
CONDITION
PROPOSED CONSERVATION WORKS
GRAND FOYER
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES TO THE FABRIC TO THE PRESENT
CONDITION
PROPOSED CONSERVATION WORKS
3
GRAND FOYER AND ENTRANCE LOBBY LIGHTING SYSTEM
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
ORIGINAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
CURRENT LIGHTING SYSTEM
NEW REQUIREMENTS
HERITAGE OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
4
REFERENCES
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
6
8
11
11
11
1
INTRODUCTION
Environmental Resources Management (ERM) was commissioned by
Brookfield Multiplex in June 2008 to assist with a response to the Brisbane
City Council’s (BCC) Information Request (IR) to …..“Provide more detailed
documentation in relation to the proposed restoration works to the Regent foyer on the
relevant drawings. Further provide additional information in relation to the lighting
upgrade of the heritage foyer”.1
ERM prepared a Heritage Assessment of the Regent Cinemas’ ‘Cinema Box’
for Brookfield Multiplex in October 2007. This was followed by Heritage
Impact Assessments for the Regent Theatre Foyer and adjacent Wintergarden,
associated with the proposed construction of the Regent Tower on the site of
the ‘Cinema Box’ and the refurbishment of the Wintergarden.
The Regent Theatre Foyer is entered in the Queensland Heritage Register as it
demonstrates the development of Queen Street as a cultural centre from the
1920s. It is characteristic as a part of one of four 1920s Hoyts/Regent picture
palaces constructed in Australia, it is valued by the community and its ornate
interior has aesthetic quality.
This report provides advice on the conservation works to the Entrance Lobby
and Grand Foyer, and a recommended approach to lighting upgrades to these
spaces.
1
Brisbane City Council Information Request 6 May 2008
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
0073780_RP4_INFO REQUEST_HERITAGE RESPONSE/FINAL/5 AUGUST 2008
1
2
CONSERVATION OF THE FABRIC
The following section outlines changes to the original planning and detail of
the Entrance Lobby and Grand Foyer fabric, assesses their condition and
outlines proposed conservation works. Drawings 73780/DD01-08 at Annex A
presents the proposed suite of conservation works.
2.1
ENTRANCE LOBBY
2.1.1
Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
The Entrance Lobby is largely as it was originally constructed, with the only
substantial change being:
•
the infill of the two openings into what was the milk bar to the right of the
lobby and the area now occupied by the Aromas Coffee Bar;
•
double doors to the lift foyer have been removed; and
•
original ticket box shown on the left in Figure 2.1 has been removed.
These changes can be compared with the current arrangements in Figure 2.2.
Figure 2.1
Entrance Lobby c 1929 (note terrazzo
floor, ticket box to left, and wall
openings to right) (Source:NLA picvn3420596-v)
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
Figure 2.2 Entrance Lobby interior
looking towards Queen
Street (ERM 2007)
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The original ticket box was replaced by a now redundant ticket box, which
includes elements from the original ticket booth in the Grand Foyer. The wall
panel in the location of the original ticket box is a later addition. Carpet has
covered the original terrazzo floors, which are likely to be intact beneath. A
later frame, to carry movie advertising, was added to the vaulted ends of the
hall space. Television screens have been installed to the right of the entrance
portico and an advertising cabinet has been applied to its left side. The marble
threshold between the Entrance Lobby and Grand Foyer appears to have been
replaced with granite.
2.1.2
Condition
ERM’s examination of the fabric showed the Entrance Lobby to be in sound
condition, with the ceiling surfaces and paintings showing no evidence of
failure. This reflects the conservation program carried out in 1996 by Sandy
Burnside and Karel Kellner under the direction of Ian Swan of May and Swan
Architects.2 The wall structure is also generally sound with the only evidence
of damage at lower levels where impacts from furniture have chipped paint
and plaster. Entrance doors from Queen Street and doors into the Grand
Foyer have superficial damage caused by general wear and tear. Terrazzo
floors may be damaged where the original ticket box was removed and where
the later ticket box has been installed.
2.1.3
Proposed Conservation Works
The proposed conservation works outlined below and detailed in the
following schedule are designed to remove intrusive elements and repair
earlier physical damage that has diminished the cultural heritage significance
of the Entrance Lobby. These works represent good conservation practice that
will recover cultural significance, and are consistent with the principles and
practices of the Burra Charter.
Schedule of Proposed Conservation Works
•
remove later ticket box and further investigate its fabric to confirm the
existence of earlier ticket booth from the Grand Foyer and recover these
elements;
•
remove carpet and determine condition of terrazzo floor;
•
remove stair lift and associated servicing;
•
remove television screens and signage in the entrance portico;
•
remove spotlights located at cornice level;
2
Environmental Protection Agency Files BNE 12358 Volumes 1 and 2
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•
remove tenancy signs if required;
•
remove speakers at each end of lobby;
•
remove illuminated advertising signs and make good walls at south wall;
•
investigate removal of later advertising signs at either end of the lobby;
•
investigate relocation of fire alarm panel and light switching panel to less
obtrusive locations;
•
dust down and wipe ceiling;
•
repair lower levels of decorative plaster walls and repaint to match
existing;
•
repair and restore entrance doors;
•
replace existing granite threshold between Grand Foyer and Entrance
Lobby with marble to match borders;
•
upgrade security cameras with least obtrusive latest technology;
•
retain exit signs; and
•
retain plaque on the north wall.
2.2
GRAND FOYER
2.2.1
Overview of Changes to the Fabric to the Present
The Grand Foyer is intact with only minor superficial changes since 1929.
These changes have included the removal of an original ticket booth against
the west wall shown in Figure 2.3, and the introduction of new ticketing box
and candy bar in the northwest corner shown in Figure 2.4. The floor area
beneath the candy bar is a fibre cement topping over a timber floor and this
has also covered the marble border.3 Figures 2.5 and 2.6 compare the view
towards the grand stair in 1929 and 2008. Physical evidence confirms
anecdotal evidence that single openings once connected adjoining buildings
north and south of the foyer. Double doors to the stair beneath the grand stair
leading to the basement have been removed. An original timber door with
raised geometric pattern was located at a storeroom under the grand stair.
The Grand Foyer was originally carpeted with the current carpet likely to be
fifth or sixth generation.
3
ibid
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Figure 2.3
Grand Foyer looking
west c1929 (nla picvn3707927-v)
Figure 2.5
Grand Foyer towards marble stair c1929
(nla pic-vn3707846-v)
2.2.2
Condition
Figure 2.4
Grand Foyer looking west 2008 (ERM)
Figure 2.6 Grand Foyer
towards marble
stair 2008 (ERM)
The condition of the Grand Foyer is similar to the Entrance Lobby with the
condition of ceiling and upper walls reflecting the 1996 conservation work.
Once again the physical damage is confined to the lower levels of the walls
where furniture has come in contact. An architrave block is missing from the
north side of the entrance doors from the Entrance Lobby. Some minor
damage has also occurred where electrical and plumbing services, to operate
the later candy bar and ticket box, have been installed.
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No visual access was available behind the candy bar fittings along the north
wall so further examination to access condition in this area will be necessary.
However, Ian Swan indicated that the installation of the candy bar fittings
were designed not to physically impact the wall fabric. There is some minor
damage to adjacent walls where fixings have been removed.
The marble border behind the candy bar and ticket box may be damaged
beneath the fibre cement floor topping (12mm) which warrants further
examination. The marble border in front of the marble stair has some cracked
sections. A small section of peeling wall paint was noted below the soffit to
the southern entrance doors to the cinemas.
2.2.3
Proposed Conservation Works
The proposed conservation works outlined below and detailed in the
following schedule are designed to remove intrusive elements and repair
earlier physical damage that has diminished the cultural heritage significance
of the Grand Foyer. These works represent good conservation practice that
will recover cultural significance, and are consistent with the principles and
practices of the Burra Charter.
Schedule of Proposed Conservation Work
•
remove existing candy bar and ticket booth and make good timber floor;
•
seek to expose marble border behind candy bar and ticket booth by
removing current fibre cement topping;
•
remove grille and curtains at the head of stair to basement;
•
remove interpretive signage at south side of marble stair;
•
remove later pelmet from entrance to cinemas;
•
remove ropes from gothic windows at east and west ends;
•
remove signs and services on west wall behind candy bar and ticket booth
area;
•
remove Regent sign above south entrance to cinemas;
•
remove height indicators from doors from Entrance Lobby;
•
vaccum, dust and wipe down decorative plaster walls and other
decorative elements;
•
dust and wipe down painted plaster ceilings;
•
install new carpet over area of Grand Foyer;
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•
investigate the reconstruction of the original ticket booth from the
Entrance Lobby to its original position on the west wall;
•
install new doors to match existing at the head of the stairs to the
basement;
•
repaint marble stair handrail scrolls;
•
repair and repaint decorative plaster posts to marble stair;
•
repair lower levels of decorative plaster walls and repaint to match
existing;
•
repair minor damage to vent on the south side of the marble stair landing;
•
replace architrave block at door from Entrance Lobby;
•
repaint soffit over doors from Entrance Lobby;
•
install new timber door to match original detail at west wall;
•
repair minor wall damage at east end of south wall adjacent doors to
lower level cinemas; and
•
retain exit signs.
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3
GRAND FOYER AND ENTRANCE LOBBY LIGHTING SYSTEM
The BCC IR has sought … additional information in relation to the lighting upgrade
of the heritage foyer. This section describes the original lighting system and
current lighting system in the Grand Foyer and Entrance Lobby and a
recommended approach to lighting upgrades to these spaces.
3.1
ORIGINAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
This section describes the original lighting system in the Entrance Lobby and
Grand Foyer which in 1929 would have been powered by an AC supply to
incandescent globing. The original fittings in the Entrance Lobby and Grand
Foyer consisted of two octagonal suspended lanterns with attached
candelabras at each corner. In the Grand Foyer these fittings were globed
within the lantern and each surrounding candelabra had four electric candles.
The scale of these lanterns is smaller in the Entrance Lobby. Wall mounted
candelabras with electric candles located on pilasters provided the only other
means of lighting in the Entrance Lobby. These fittings can be seen in
Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1
Entrance Hall interior looking towards Queen Street c1929 (NLA picvn3420596-v)
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Historic photographs of the Grand Foyer in Figures 3.2 and 3.3 show the two
suspended lanterns. Bronzed wall mounted candelabras with five leafed
storks surrounding a central goblet with four electric candles to each element
can also be identified. These fittings are located at mid level between paired
decorative plaster half columns. Wall mounted candelabras can also be seen
at high level each side of the gothic window on the western wall.
Figure 3.2
Grand Foyer viewed from the west c1929 (NLA.pic-vn3707846-v)
Figure 3.3
Grand Foyer viewed from the east c 1929 (NLA.pic-vn3707927-v)
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Three original centrally positioned surface mounted squat round fittings with
projecting incandescent globes and an internal globe provide lighting beneath
the soffit of the balcony to the marble stair. A current photograph of one of
these original fittings is seen in Figure 3.4.
Figure 3.4
Marble stair balcony soffit light fitting (ERM 2008)
A larger and more elaborate round fitting is located in the portico to the
Entrance Lobby, as shown in Figure 3.5. This is an original light fitting.
Figure 3.5
Entrance portico light fitting (ERM 2008)
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3.2
CURRENT LIGHTING SYSTEM
Examination of the current lighting system in the Entrance Lobby and Grand
Foyer indicate that the original arrangement of light fittings remains intact but
the wiring to these will most likely have been upgraded to comply with
current code requirements. The original system has been enhanced by the
installation of up lights at paired half column capitals in the Grand Foyer and
the introduction of spotlights in the Entrance Lobby located on top of the
cornice to spotlight advertising panels at each end.
The switching for the lighting system is located in the Entrance Lobby where
the 1929 ticket box was located and behind the current (redundant) ticket box.
Reticulation is either embedded in the walls or runs in voids behind
decorative plaster elements.
3.3
NEW REQUIREMENTS
The Grand Foyer and Entrance Lobby are currently used for theatre access,
coffee bar seating, foyer and ticketing functions to the Regent Cinemas, they
will provide the same functions as a part of the Regent Tower at 150 Elizabeth
Street. The Grand Foyer and Entrance Lobby will not only continue to
function as foyer spaces to the new multipurpose auditoriums on level three
of the Regent Tower, they will provide access opportunity from Queen Street
into the new Regent Tower and through to Elizabeth Street. It is also likely
the Grand Foyer may be used for new activities associated with the Regent
Tower such as a functions space which may require new power and data
cabling systems to be installed.
The lighting system in the Grand Foyer and Entrance Lobby will be inspected
to ensure it complies with current codes. The lighting levels provided by the
existing system will be analysed against the proposed use of these spaces. If
satisfactory lighting levels are confirmed no changes will be made to the
current system. Existing emergency lighting, exit lighting and security
systems will also be inspected and upgraded if required.
Should upgraded lighting be required the intention is to maintain the ambient
character created by the current lighting system. Upgraded lighting will be
sufficient to meet the required codes and necessary, safety requirements at
floor level. Should upgrades of emergency lighting, exit lighting and security
systems be necessary innovative design solutions will be sought that
complement the architectural integrity and detail of these important spaces.
3.4
HERITAGE OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
In Australia, the conservation of heritage places is guided by the Australian
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Burra Charter. The
Burra Charter has been widely adopted as the standard for heritage
conservation practice in Australia, providing a guiding philosophy for the
care of places of cultural heritage significance in Australia.
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Installation of new power and data systems and any necessary upgrade of the
lighting, emergency lighting and security systems to the Regent Grand Foyer
and Entrance Lobby should be guided by the principles of the Burra Charter
in terms of retaining the original lighting system fittings, unobtrusively
installing new power, data and lighting systems and fittings, concealing
reticulation and minimising impact of historic fabric. Relevant Burra Charter
Principles to guide any upgrades are:
Article 3: Cautious Approach
All changes have the potential to impact on significance. A cautious approach of
changing as much as necessary but as little as possible is recommended.
It is intended to maintain the ambient character of the Grand Foyer and
Entrance Lobby spaces.
Article 10: Contents
Contents, fixtures and objects that contribute to the significance should be retained at
the place.
All existing light fittings should be retained. These can be upgraded by the
use of new globing technology inside existing lamps. However, where globes
are exposed, replacement globes should not significantly alter the appearance
of the light fittings overall. For example, if candelabra candle globes were to
be changed these should be the same (or similar) size and shape, if available in
current lighting technology. If obsolescence of incandescent globing becomes
an issue, new technology globes with the most sympathetic appearance in the
context of the overall appearance and lighting tone (i.e. soft light and not cold
light effect) of light fittings should be selected.
Article 22: New Work
New work and existing work should be clearly recognisable. New work should be
similar to existing fabric in its consideration of matters including siting, bulk, form,
scale, character, colour, texture and material, but should be contemporary.
Ideally new light fittings should be concealed from view. However, if new
lighting upgrade requirements demand a new light fitting is positioned in
view, it should be of an appropriate scale, be carefully positioned to
complement the architectural detail of the foyer and lobby spaces and be
simple, have subtle lines and appearance and subservient to historic detailing.
Conversely, any new power and data cabling and associated fittings should be
concealed as much as possible.
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Article 28: Disturbance of Fabric
Fabric should not be disturbed unless it is necessary for the conservation of the place.
Any lighting upgrades should not damage historic fabric.
Existing
reticulation routes should be utilised. Should new wiring be required this
should be reticulated in existing voids behind decorative plaster, in ceilings
and under floors. Exposed conduit should not be used.
Article 30: Direction, Supervision and Implementation
Competent direction and supervision is required during all stages of the conservation
of a place.
Lighting upgrade works should be carried out under heritage architect
supervision by tradesman experienced in dealing with historic buildings.
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4
REFERENCES
Brisbane City Council Information Request 6 May 2008
Environmental Protection Agency Files BNE 12358 Volumes 1 and 2
Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter
Personal communication Ian Swan 29 July 2008
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Annex A
Conservation Drawings
737880 / Dd01-08
Annex C
Queensland Heritage Register
Entry
Registers and Inventories
Page 1 of 4
Hoyts Entertainment Centre
Place Details
Place ID
600140
Place Name
Hoyts Entertainment Centre
Alternative Name
Regent Theatre
Place Classification
Built
Place Category
Recreation and Entertainment
Place Type
Picture theatre/Cinema
Office/s
Foyer - entrance
Steps/stairway
Place Components
Location
Address
167 Queen Street
Property Name
Town / Suburb
BRISBANE
Post Code
4000
LGA
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL
Context Study Region Brisbane Region
Cultural Significance
Priniciple Period
of Significance
Criterion A
Criterion B
Criterion D
Criterion E
1929 (fabric), 1929-1970s ( Historical), 1929-ongoing (social)
Opened in 1929, the location of the Regent Theatre in Queen Street
demonstrates the development of this street as a cultural centre from
the 1920s.
The Regent Theatre is characteristic of a 1920s picture palace, and
is one of only four Hoyts/Regent picture palaces constructed in
Australia at this time.
The Regent Theatre is characteristic of a 1920s picture palace, and
is one of only four Hoyts/Regent picture palaces constructed in
Australia at this time.
The Regent Theatre is valued by the community, and the ornate
interior of the entry foyer has aesthetic quality.
The Regent Theatre is valued by the community, and the ornate
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Registers and Inventories
Criterion G
Page 2 of 4
interior of the entry foyer has aesthetic quality.
History
History
The Regent Building was erected in 1929 for use as a theatre and
cinema. The Queen Street site was acquired by William MacIntosh
Mayne, property speculator, in 1892. After his death on 16 August
1921, title passed to his sister Mary Mayne and brother Dr James
O'Neil Mayne of Moorlands [600052]. The remainder of the
Elizabeth Street property (allotment 16) was purchased by JC
Williamson, film director and entrepreneur, in 1928 and transferred
to Hoyts Theatres the following year. Dr Mayne's land was leased to
Capitol Theatres Ltd and then sub-leased to Hoyts from 1925 until
1977. The shape of the block, with its narrow frontage to Queen
Street, determined the theatre's plan. The Queen Street block
comprised the entrance foyer, giving the theatre a prestigious
address, while the auditorium was constructed on the broad part of
the site in Elizabeth Street. Originally referred to as the Capitol
Building, the name changed to Regent Building prior to
construction. The theatre was designed by Charles N Hollinshed
(the Regent's Melbourne based architect), Richard Gailey, Junior of
Brisbane, and Aaron Bolot (employed by Gailey). One of four
Regent Theatres built in Australia during the 1920s, in the Hoyts
house style, these picture palaces reflected the opulence and
grandeur of the Hollywood era. Opened on 8 November 1929 the
theatre was described as "palatial", "rich in detail" and "strikingly
beautiful". The auditorium, then one of the largest in the
Commonwealth, provided seating accommodation for over 2500
patrons. The Regent comprised an extensive stage, 56 feet wide by
28 feet deep, (17 metres by 8.5 metres) a movie screen, modern
lighting facilities, three talking machines and a £25 000 Wurlitzer
Organ from New York. Two staircases led from the mezzanine floor
to the dress circle. The large oval dome above the stalls featured a
one ton bronze chandelier. The proscenium arch, lobby and dome
were embellished with decorative plaster work by Picton, Hopkins
and Son. The tile work was executed by the Decorative Tile
Company, and Mollocco Brothers of Sydney created the marble
work. The theatre was erected by AJ Dickenson at a cost of £300
000 and the Queen Street building was constructed by J and EL
Rees. With the opening of the Regent, Brisbane audiences were
provided with the opportunity to experience first hand the glamour
associated with Hollywood's "golden era" - the romance of the silver
screen, the extravagance of celebrity appearances- in the lavish
surroundings of a picture palace. Built near His Majesty's, Majestic
and Wintergarden Theatres, the Regent contributed to the
development of Queen Street as the cultural hub of the city. After
James Mayne and Mary Mayne died in 1939 and 1940 respectively,
their estate was left to the University of Queensland as the sole
beneficiary. In the mid 1970s Hoyts planned the demoliton of the
Regent. A "Save the Regent" campaign was launched and a
compromise was reached whereby the foyer and the marble staircase
was retained. The new four cinema complex opened on 2 August
1980.
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Registers and Inventories
Page 3 of 4
Description
Designer Name
Hollinshed, Charles N
Style
Classical
Period
Interwar period (1920s - 1930s)
Builder Name
Rees, J & EL
Construction Date
1929 - 1929
Constuction Method
Load-bearing brick
Fabric (Exterior
Structure)
Brick - rendered
Fabric (Roof)
Roof Form
Description
The Queen Street facade of the Regent theatre is in the classical
revival style and has some Italianate detailing. It is a four storey
building with three window bays across. The first floor level has
arched window openings with moulded keystones. This level has
rustication in the form of render imitating stonework. The upper two
levels have square window openings. These are separated by plain
giant order pilasters with ornate moulded capitals. Paired pilasters
occur to each side of these windows at each end of the facade. The
second floor windows have Italianate balusters at their base between
the pilasters. The panels between the capitals above the third floor
windows have decorative festoons. The frieze above the capitals has
paired rosettes at each end with the name 'REGENT BUILDING' in
the centre. A large cornice supported on closely spaced brackets
appears above this. The parapet has open sections with balusters in
line with the window openings below. Elizabeth Street has a large
relatively unadorned facebrick facade with three large rendered
arched recesses with cast iron pieces located centrally. The heads of
the recesses are rendered to imitate voussoirs. A tall concrete
parapet and cornice runs across the width of the building. Moulded
grotesques are situated between the tops of the three arched
openings. A moulded band runs across below the recesses. A plain
rendered panel is located between this and the cantilevered awning.
The entrance hall from Queen Street features a high vaulted ceiling
covered in ornamental plasterwork, with painted medieval scenes in
each end vault. A long Queensland marble staircase faces the
entrance of the original theatre. This leads to a space with a ceiling
incorporating medieval motifs. The side walls of the lobby have
miniature balconies. At the rear of each balcony is a large mirror
extending to the ceiling. Deep red curtains contrast with the
mirrored surfaces. The arches overhead with their colourful
medieval figures are supported on stone columns interwoven with
lines of tracery. Evenly spaced ornate chandeliers are suspended
centrally from the foyer ceiling. Several plasterwork features were
salvaged from the destruction of the auditorium and these have been
reused in the smaller showcase cinema that replaced part of the
original. These features are out of scale with their new location. The
upper levels of the Queen Street building have been refurbished as
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Registers and Inventories
Page 4 of 4
offices.
Keywords
Keywords
Images
Description
Hoyts Entertainment Centre Queen St frontage
Media Author
Media Date
Copyright
DERM
Information about places in the Queensland Heritage Register is maintained by the Environmental
Protection Agency under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. Information available here is only
part of the full Register entry and should not be taken as an official entry. Absence does not mean
a particular place is not in the Register.
Certified copies of the full entries in the Register are available for a fee.
You can also search the full Register for a fee to find out if a place or parcel of land is listed or
otherwise affected by the Act.
Last updated: 04 April 2006
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Annex D
Interpretive Concept
Annex E
Furnishings and Fittings
Catalogue – ERM September
2008
Regent Theatre Pty Ltd
Furniture and Fittings Catalogue
0073780 RPT5
For – Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
September 2008
FINAL REPORT
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Furniture and Fittings
Catalogue
September 2008
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Level 1 60 Leichhardt Street
Spring Hill Q 4000
Telephone +61 7 3839 8393
Facsimile +61 7 3839 8381
www.erm.com
FINAL REPORT
Multiplex Regent Pty Ltd
Regent Theatre
Furniture and Fittings
Catalogue
September 2008
Reference: 73780 Rpt5
For and on behalf of
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Approved by: Sandy Vigar
Signed:
Position:
Partner
Date:
12 September 2008
This report has been prepared in accordance with the
scope of services described in the contract or agreement
between
Environmental
Resources
Management
Australia Pty Ltd ACN 002 773 248 (ERM) and the
Client.
The report relies upon data, surveys,
measurements and results taken at or under the
particular times and conditions specified herein. Any
findings, conclusions or recommendations only apply to
the aforementioned circumstances and no greater
reliance should be assumed or drawn by the Client.
Furthermore, the report has been prepared solely for use
by the Client and ERM accepts no responsibility for its
use by other parties
CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
BACKGROUND
STUDY AREA
METHODOLOGY
2
RESULTS
3
INVENTORY
4
PAINTINGS
5
FURNITURE
1
1
2
1
INTRODUCTION
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd (ERM) was
commissioned by Brookfield Multiplex in June 2008 to prepare an inventory
cataloguing original and early fittings, furniture and fabric within the “cinema
box” and Grand Foyer of the Regent Theatre.
1.1
BACKGROUND
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd (ERM) was
commissioned in October 2007 to undertake a Heritage Assessment (HA) of
the Regent Theatre, Queen Street, Brisbane, by Multiplex Regent Pty. Ltd.,
which has contracted to purchase the property. The HA concluded that the
heritage significance of the Regent was limited to the Queen Street part of the
building which includes the Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer. This was
supported by the Queensland Heritage Council in October 2007, who decided
not to include the “cinema box” within the heritage register boundary of the
Regent Theatre heritage listing.
A development application was subsequently lodged in March 2008 for the
demolition of the cinema box and construction of a commercial office tower to
the rear of the Regent foyer areas. Brisbane City Council has since requested
further information about the development, while the EPA has granted a
conditional approval.
Condition 6 of the EPA’s referral response was to provide further information
pertaining to the proposed interpretation of the site, and ERM were
subsequently engaged to prepare an inventory cataloguing original and early
fittings, furniture and fabric. This cataloguing will form part of a Heritage
Management Plan to support the proposed Regent Tower project.
1.2
STUDY AREA
The area investigated comprised the “cinema box” to the rear of the Grand
Foyer which will be demolished as part of the proposed redevelopment.
Additional pieces of movable heritage such as furniture located in the Grand
Foyer area were also recorded as part of this study. The study area is outlined
in red at Figure 1.1, while the heritage registered Grand Foyer area containing
pieces of furniture is outlined in green.
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1
Figure 1.1
Study Area
1.3
METHODOLOGY
A site inspection was undertaken on 29 July 2008 to investigate and document
early and original fittings and furniture. The site inspection was assisted by
architect, Ian Swan, who played a major part in the 1979 redevelopment on
the site, and who was consequently invaluable in providing details of the
reuse of certain fittings in the current building, and replication of others.
Cinema 1 was initially inspected to determine what original fittings and
details survive from the 1929 theatre. The lower cinema foyer and cinema
offices and storerooms were subsequently investigated and documented
where fittings and furniture from the earlier theatre were found.
A storeroom beneath the Cinema 1 screen contained a great deal of furniture
of various dates and styles and this was assessed in more detail on 12 August
2008.
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2
RESULTS
Architect Ian Swan was able to provide valuable information on which fittings
were reused in the Cinema 1 redevelopment, and information was confirmed
through comparison of historic photos and existing fabric.
Figure 2.1
Theatre arches 1929 and 2008 (National Library of Australia #vn3420630)
Figure 2.1 shows the original Regent Theatre c1929, with three arches of
increasing height along the wall of the theatre. Figure 2.2 shows the three
arches which currently exist in Cinema 1 of the Regent, demonstrating a
number of similarities to the details of the arches in the historic photograph.
Figure 2.2
Theatre arches 2008 (ERM 2008)
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Figure 2.3 is a close up of the middle arch from the Regent Theatre prior to the
site’s redevelopment in 1976, and an arch which exists in Cinema 1 today.
The photos clearly demonstrate a number of similarities, indicating that much
of the plasterwork and vertical grilles may have been reused in the new
arches, while other details may have been reproduced. Ian Swan was able to
confirm that all the plasterwork in Cinema 1 was replicated and only the
panels below the cornice and between the “barley twist” columns contained
original elements to include metal grills and balustrades. The area identified
by Ian Swan is marked (white border) in the ERM 2008 photograph.
Figure 2.3
Theatre arches 1976 and 2008 (State Library Queensland # 55316 and ERM
2008)
Historical photos also demonstrate a range of Louis XIV furniture used
throughout the building (See Figure 2.4), and many of these pieces survive
today either in the cinema foyer, or in storerooms to the rear of and beneath
the cinemas. Examples are shown at Figure 2.5.
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Figure 2.4
Furniture in Foyer Areas c1976 and 1929 (SLQ #195551 and NLA #vn3707852)
Figure 2.5
Existing furniture in Cinema 1 foyer and storeroom beneath Cinema 1 (ERM
2008)
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3
INVENTORY
The following inventory provides the location, photograph, description and condition of identified furniture and fittings.
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
ORIGINAL FITTINGS
RH1
6 octagonal metal Good
lanterns suspended
from
decorative
metal brackets in
front of each of the 6
vaulted arches.
Cinema 1
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RH3
Cinema 1
Gilded plasterwork Good
above grilles.
RH4
Cinema 1
Decorative spindle Good
metal grilles.
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RH5
Cinema 1
Plaster balustrade
RH6
Entrance to bar area in Cinema 1 foyer.
Cast
terracotta Good
balustrade
with
marble
capped
handrail.
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Good
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RH7
Entrance to bar area in cinema foyer.
Cast
terracotta Good
balustrade
with
marble
capped
handrail.
RH8
Entrance to bar area in cinema foyer.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel.
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RH9
Northern Wall of bar area.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel
with
brass
five
candle candelabra.
RH10
Northern Wall of bar area.
Wall mounted brass Good
five
candle
candelabra.
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RH11
Western Wall of bar area.
Wall mounted brass Good
five
candle
candelabra.
RH12
Western wall at entrance to bar area.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel.
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RH13
Entrance to Cinema foyer.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel
with
brass
five
candle candelabra
RH14
Western wall of Cinema foyer.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel
with
brass
five
candle candelabra
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RH15
Western wall of Cinema foyer.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel
with
brass
five
candle candelabra
RH16
Southwest corner of Cinema foyer.
Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel.
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RH17
Southern wall of Cinema Foyer.
RH18
bronze Good
Southern wall of Cinema foyer at entrance to Copper
plaster wall panel
Ciinema 1.
with
brass
five
candle candelabra
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Copper
bronze Good
plaster wall panel
with
brass
five
candle candelabra
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RH19
Southern wall of Cinema foyer between the Copper
bronze Good
entrances to Cinema 1 and 2.
plaster wall panel.
RH20
In storeroom beneath Cinema 1 screen.
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Part
of
cast
terracotta baluster
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PAINTINGS
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
DETAILS
CONDITION
RH21
Western wall of Cinema foyer.
600 x 900mm pond Good
scene on canvas in
decorative
plaster
frame
Artist
“William
Bustard
1928.”
RH22
Southern Wall of Cinema foyer.
660 x 750mm ocean Good
sailing scene on
canvas in decorative
plaster
frame
–
Artist
“William
Bustard 1928.”
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RH23
Eastern wall of Cinema foyer.
1500
x
1000mm Good
woman
adorned
with scarf on canvas
in decorative plaster
frame
-Artist
unknown
RH24
In storeroom on upper floor of cinema box.
1500
x
1000mm Good
woman seated in
timber frame – Artist
unknown
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FURNITURE
ID
PHOTOGRAPH
LOCATION
RH25
Western wall of Grand Foyer.
RH26
Western
wall
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of
the
DETAILS
CONDITION
2 seater Louis XIV Good
sofa.
Cinema
foyer. 2 seater Louis XIV Good
sofa.
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RH27
Western wall of the Cinema foyer.
Louis
XIV
armchair.
RH28
Western wall of the Cinema foyer.
Round Louis
style table.
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style Good
XIV Good
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RH29
Western wall of the Cinema foyer.
RH30
In
upper
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foyer
of
Louis
XIV
armchair.
style Good
cinema. 2 seater Louis XIV
style sofa.
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RH31
XIV
style Good
In cinema office on upper foyer floor of cinema Louis
console table with
box.
top missing.
RH32
Store room backing onto Elizabeth Street, first Round Louis XIV Fair
level under Cinema 4.
style
table
with
marble top.
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RH33
Store room backing onto Elizabeth Street, first Louis XIV style 2
level under Cinema 4.
seater sofa.
RH34
Store
room
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under
Cinema
1
XIV
style Fair/Good
screen. Louis
console table with (console from
cross
brace
top missing.
between legs
missing)
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RH35
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
(cross
XIV
style Fair
screen. Louis
console table with braces to legs
missing)
top missing.
RH36
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
XIV
style Good
console table with
top missing.
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RH37
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
XIV
style Fair/Good
screen. Louis
console table with (console from
cross
brace
top missing.
between legs
missing)
RH38
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Round Louis XIV
style
table
with
marble top.
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RH39
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
XIV
planter box
style Fair – one leg
missing
RH40
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
XIV
planter box
style Fair – one leg
missing
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RH41
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
XIV
planter box
style Fair – one leg
missing
RH42
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
style Fair – one leg
missing
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XIV
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RH43
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
RH44
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
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RH45
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
RH46
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
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RH47
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
RH48
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
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RH49
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
RH50
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Poor
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RH51
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
RH52
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
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RH53
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
chair.
XIV
style Good
RH54
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis
XIV
armchair.
style Good
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RH55
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 2 Good
seater sofa.
RH56
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 2 Good
seater sofa.
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RH57
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 2 Good
seater sofa.
RH58
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 2 Good
seater sofa.
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RH59
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 2 Good
seater sofa.
RH60
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 3 Good
seater sofa.
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RH61
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Louis XIV style 3 Good
seater sofa.
RH62
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Office sign from Good
later Entrance Hall
Ticket Booth
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RH63
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
of
round Poor
screen. Parts
marble table top
RH64
Store
room
under
Cinema
1
screen. Assorted pieces of Poor
furniture.
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Annex F
Heritage Advice - ERM
August 2010
Regent Theatre
Heritage Advice
for
Brookfield Multiplex
August 2010
www.erm.com
Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world
Approved by:
John Hoysted
Position:
Project Manager
Signed:
Heritage Response
Date:
20 August, 2010
Approved by:
David Pope
Position:
Partner
Signed:
Date:
Regent Theatre Redevelopment
Brookfield Multiplex
August 2010
20 August, 2010
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd Quality System
0073780
www.erm.com
Quality-ISO-9001-PMS302
This disclaimer, together with any limitations specified in the report, apply to use of this report. This
report was prepared in accordance with the contracted scope of services for the specific purpose stated
and subject to the applicable cost, time and other constraints. In preparing this report, ERM relied on: (a)
client/third party information which was not verified by ERM except to the extent required by the scope
of services, and ERM does not accept responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies in the client/third
party information; and (b) information taken at or under the particular times and conditions specified,
and ERM does not accept responsibility for any subsequent changes. This report has been prepared
solely for use by, and is confidential to, the client and ERM accepts no responsibility for its use by other
persons. This report is subject to copyright protection and the copyright owner reserves its rights. This
report does not constitute legal advice.
CONTENTS
1
BACKGROUND
2
REPONSE TO COMMENTS
2.1
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.2
2.3
2.4
SHOWCASE CINEMA
PLASTER SUNBURST PANEL
ARCHITECTURAL WALL DETAILS
INNER VESTIBULE/BAR
ELIZABETH STREET FACADE
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS
3
CONCLUSION
2
2
2
3
3
4
1
BACKGROUND
Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd (ERM) was
commissioned in March 2010 to prepare a Heritage Management Plan (HMP)
for the Regent Theatre, Queen Street, Brisbane, by Brookfield Multiplex (BMP)
on behalf the Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT).
The first draft HMP was prepared in response to a Direction by the
Queensland Minister for Infrastructure and Planning dated 19 February 2009
and aimed to address the four specific requirements of the Ministerial
Direction.
Comments from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning (DIP),
Department of Environment and Resources Management (DERM) and
Brisbane City Council (BCC) were incorporated into the second draft of the
HMP.
On 12 August 2010, ERM received a further set of comments from DIP in
relation to the potential reuse of existing features, fittings, decorative
plasterwork and artefacts in the new development, and their incorporation
into the HMP. These items currently exist in the ‘Cinema Box’ which is
outside of the Queensland Heritage Register boundary, and as such there is no
statutory requirement for their retention under the Queensland Heritage Act
1992.
Although the ‘Cinema Box’ and its contents have been assessed as not meeting
the threshold requirement for entry in the Queensland Heritage Register, they
have connection to the Regent complex, and possess varying levels of heritage
value. As such there is potential for their reuse and interpretation within the
heritage listed building, and the new development. This report provides
ERM’s heritage response to DIP’s email and attachment of 12 August 2010.
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2
REPONSE TO COMMENTS
2.1
SHOWCASE CINEMA
2.1.1
Plaster Sunburst Panel
The item is a smaller, re-oriented, and recast version of the original ceiling
medallion with ‘sunburst’ surround. It has no association with the original
theatre and has little heritage value. It is likely the feature will require further
downsizing to fit within the confines of the new auditorium.
The
reinstallation of the feature will provide little contribution to the interpretation
of the scale, atmosphere and flamboyancy of what has already been lost at the
Regent Theatre.
ERM does not recommend reuse in the new cinema.
2.1.2
Architectural Wall Details
a) Arches b) lanterns, plaster entablature, balustrade panels c) plaster frieze d) panels
and moulding e) plaster cornice, bulkheads and coffer panels
The metal lanterns and grilles (RH 4) are original, thus have high heritage
value. ERM has recommended in the HMP to install the lanterns as
interpretive elements in the No.1 auditorium, and the grilles in the
interpretive collage.
Some original plasterwork is reported to have been used in the 1980s
redevelopment, however the majority is re-cast. The installation of the
plasterwork into the re-created 1980s theatre provides some contribution to
the aesthetic appeal of the theatre. However, it disguises the fact that these
were spaces completed in 1980 and distorts the Burra Charter concept of
reconstruction, which is the ‘introduction of new material into existing fabric, and
is only appropriate where a place is incomplete due to damage or alteration. This is not
to be confused with either re-creation or conjectural reconstruction, which are outside
the scope of the Burra Charter’.
ERM recommends retention of these items for consideration in the
interpretive collage, however it is noted that their inclusion will be dependant
on size and condition of features. Alternatively, these items should be offered
to the Queensland Museum.
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2.2
INNER VESTIBULE/BAR
a) Parts of the plaster ceiling b) plaster cornices and entablatures c) plaster mouldings
d) plaster ceiling panels d) plaster cornices (bar area) and plaster threshold panels and
columns.
ERM considers the general recommendations as per Section 2.1.2, relating to
plaster elements, to be applicable to the proposals for retention of items listed
in Section 2.2.
However, the consideration of inclusion of selections of these elements in the
interpretive collage is considered appropriate, only if they can be
appropriately fitted into the display area, and included in a meaningful way
which identifies and interprets their level of heritage significance. Consistent
with Burra Charter principles, maintaining evidence of all periods of a
building’s construction can help retain meanings. However, re-cast fabric
(‘new work’) should not be interpreted or disguised as original fabric, rather,
interpreted as new work.
ERM recommends retention of these items for consideration in the
interpretive collage where appropriate.
2.3
ELIZABETH STREET FACADE
a) Two theatrical grotesques, b) wrought iron grilles, c) other grotesques – Elizabeth
St façade
The theatrical grotesques and grilles are both indicated on the original 1927
drawings of the Elizabeth Street façade of the Regent Theatre, and thus have
heritage significance. Inclusion into the interpretive collage could be
considered if required, providing the items can be interpreted in a meaningful
way which identifies and interprets their significance. Practical display
aspects such as the scale and size of the collage and the items, and also the
content of the display need consideration and should guide the decision to
include these items in any display medium.
However, the removal of the grilles and all grotesques from their location in
situ, and re-installation in a contemporary space (i.e. the new proposed
commercial foyer area) is likely to substantially diminish the weight of the
special associations which these items have to the original Regent, and affect
their meaning and significance.
ERM recommends photographically recording the features prior to their
removal or alteration, and consideration where appropriate for adaptive reuse
in the new development in a sympathetic manner. Alternatively, these items
should be offered to the Queensland Museum.
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2.4
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS
RH1, 3, 4 and 5
In accordance with Burra Charter principles, ERM believes reconstruction of
the 1980 reconstruction in the new development is not appropriate. Instead,
the heritage value of original architectural elements and details would be
better demonstrated as interpretive elements in the interpretive collage.
RH 10 and 11
To be considered for reuse in the interpretive collage in the first instance,
otherwise offered to the Queensland Museum.
RH 19
To be considered for reuse in the interpretive collage in the first instance,
otherwise offered to the Queensland Museum.
RH 21, 22, 23, 24
ERM does not recommend reuse of the paintings in the Grand Foyer, as
historically these were located in the theatre foyer/mezzanine, and
subsequently the Inner Vestibule/Bar area in the 1980 redevelopment. ERM
believes a more appropriate location for their display would be in the lift
lobby area or within tenancies of the Regent Offices.
RH 31, 34-37
This is an appropriate suggestion, pending the design requirements and
planning of the space permit the inclusion of the objects. Otherwise
recommendations as per the HMP stand.
RH45,46,55,56 &57
ERM recommends restoring these pieces of furniture, and reusing within the
Regent complex.
Historically these were located in the theatre
foyer/mezzanine, and subsequently the Inner Vestibule/Bar area in the 1980
redevelopment. As such, ERM does not agree with their reuse in the Grand
Foyer, but instead recommends considering their retention and adaptive reuse
in other spaces of the building such as the offices, lift lobby and Regent Café.
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3
CONCLUSION
While moveable heritage items such as paintings and furniture are easily able
to be adaptively reused, architectural elements such as plaster features are
more difficult. The heritage value of such items has already been diminished
as a result of being dismantled and installed in the 1980 development, and
interpretation of these items in a contemporary setting is a better outcome in
terms of Burra Charter principles.
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