Hoyts Arcadia Theatre
12 Bridge Street,
Sydney,
NSW
2141
12 Bridge Street,
Sydney,
NSW
2141
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Hoyts Theatres, Western Suburbs Cinemas Ltd.
Firms: Leslie J. Buckland & Druce
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Arcadia Theatre
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Located in the south-western Sydney suburb of Lidcombe. The Arcadia Theatre opened on 5th May 1924, with seating for 1,200, all on a single level. In December 1925, a balcony was added which increased the seating capacity to 1,800.
Taken over by the Western Suburbs Cinemas chain in 1939, it was re-modelled in an Art Deco style to the plans of architectural firm Leslie J. Buckland & Druce. The Arcadia Theatre re-opened on 24th January 1940 with Merle Oberon in “Wuthering Heights” and Dennis O'Keefe in “The Kid From Texas”.
Taken over by the Hoyts Theatres chain in March 1944, they closed the Hoyts Arcadia Theatre on 1st May 1963 with Alec Guinness in “HMS Defiant”. It was converted into a supermarket, and was damaged by a fire in the early-1990’s.
Later it was in use as the Westella Reception Hall and they moved to new premises on New Street East in 2011. On 18th October 2014 the former Hoyts Arcadia Theatre was badly damaged by a fire.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
A photograph of the Arcadia Theatre in the 1930’s, after being re-modeled:
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thanks Ken.
Great vintage photo Ken.
January 24th, 1940 reopening ad in photo section.
While Lidcombe is a suburb of Sydney, to be precise, the venue is at 12 Bridge Street, Lidcombe NSW 2141, NOT 12 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2141. This is because there may be many streets in Sydney called Bridge St, for example Bridge Street Sydney may well refer to Bridge St City.
Sadly, the headline in Sydney’s “Daily Telegraph”, October 18, 2014 5:38pm, by Ian Walker was “Fire at Grand Westella reception centre in Lidcombe damages the building’s structure”.
Fortunately there were no injuries.
Thank you,
Anthony