ASO Grainger Studio

Originally on this site stood the Olympia Skating Rink. It was converted into West’s Olympia Cinema in 1908 and had a seating capacity of 3,000. It was demolished in 1938, retaining only the stage area.

The new West’s Cinema was operated by Greater Union Cinemas and seated 1,504, with 1,036 in the stalls and 468 in the circle. It opened on 1st December 1939 with Leslie Howard in "Pygmalion" and a supporting film starring Tom Walls.

The entrance led through to a rotunda, which has a central dome, illuminated by indirect lighting and a double staircase leading to the circle. The auditorium is set at a right-angle, parallel to Hindley Street and contains troughs of concealed lighting in the ceiling. West’s Cinema is considered one of the finest examples of an Art Deco/Art Moderne style cinema in Australia.

West’s Cinema was closed by June 1977 and was later taken over by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as their permanent home, re-opening as the 680 seat, Grainger Studio.

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