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Metro Theatre/Albert Cinemas To Be Demolished
posted by
brentj
on
October 28, 2004 at 8:56 am
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA — Demoliton is due to begin this week on the former Metro Theatre in the centre of Brisbane in Albert St.
Much altered from it’s Art Deco design from the 30’s in it’s 1972 conversion to a tacky 70’s 3 cinema complex. This complex became known as the Albert Cinemas in 1973. They have been closed for just on three years.
While the upstairs and downstairs lobby retained the same space after the conversion, I wonder if any old traces of the Metro would be found during demolition. The theatre is to be replaced by an eight story building.
The Metro is one of a dwindling number of theaters Loew’s built overseas during the 1930s and 1940s under the moniker Metro, emphasizing its then-ownership of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Comments (1)
A story about the now demolished Metro Theatre(Albert Cinemas) has now appeared in a local independent inner city paper (the main newspaper never mentioned this theatre’s passing). You can read it on their website , go to www.theindependent.com.au
The story refers to the developer of the sight , who is quoted as saying “evidence of the original form of the theatre and MGM office facade’s were lost in the 70’s conversion”. Not quite true as the art deco facade of the MGM office’s (theatre and office’s “L” shaped building with two street frontages) was completly in tact prior to demolition late last year. The main art deco Theatre facade was covered up by by a 70’s type false facade. The article mentions that all that will remain will be a plaque on the new building stating what was once there…. wow !