Metropolis Empire Theatre

53 Princes Street,
Dunedin 9016

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Hoyts Cinemas, Kerridge-Odeon

Styles: French Renaissance

Previous Names: Queens Theatre, Strand Theatre, Embassy Theatre, Odeon Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Opened on May 30, 1912 as an independent theatre, the theatre originally seated 700 patrons. Taken over by Hayward Theatres in July 1917, and then Fuller Theatres in February 1924.

Renovated in July 1928, it was renamed the Strand Theatre. It was taken over again by Kerridge Odeon in 1946, remodelled, and renamed Embassy Theatre in June 1949, when seating was reduced to 600.

The theatre was renamed the Odeon following an extensive rebuild on June 24, 1970. Seating was reduced to 376 on a terraced floor.

It was taken over by Everard Cinemas (Auckland) in the mid-1980’s, then Hoyts Cinemas (NZ) in 1990.

Closed in 1997, then taken over as an independent and renamed Metropolis Empire Theatre in April 1997 as an "specialist cinema".

After a twisting and turning past, the theatre finally closed in 2000. It was demolished in 2002.

-Library of Cinema Research Data (NZ)

Contributed by B Knewstubb,

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

del50
del50 on May 30, 2002 at 5:25 pm

Visit the following web site for a full detail on this cinema View link

del50
del50 on March 6, 2004 at 2:23 am

This cinema was demolished in 2002

Romarin
Romarin on September 28, 2006 at 5:16 pm

I would like to buy the cinema machinery/equipment as sencond hand buyer. If anyone have info on this cinema please contact me at
Thank You

metrocinema
metrocinema on May 6, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Cinema still stands… has had the circle removed and floor leveled for parking cars.
Foyer is used as a printing business

Bradley Knewstubb
Bradley Knewstubb on January 2, 2011 at 5:58 am

There is no sign of this cinema; it definitely has been demolished at the same time as the former City Hotel of which it was part of. I used to work there.

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