Capitol Theatre, Melbourne
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| Capitol Theatre | |
 |
|
| Swanston Street facade | |
|---|---|
| Address |
113 Swanston Street
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| City | |
| Country | Australia |
| Designation | Victorian Heritage Register |
| Architect | Walter Burley Griffin |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Years active | Since 1924 |
| Current use | university lectures, comedy |
| www.capitol.rmit.edu.au | |
The Capitol Theatre of Melbourne is a building located on Swanston Street, opposite the Melbourne Town Hall. It was commissioned by a group of Melbourne businessmen including the Greek Consul General Anthony JJ Lucas and designed by Walter Burley Griffin. Lucas had worked previously with Burley Griffin on the development of both the Vienna Cafe and his own property Yamala in Frankston.[1] Construction began in 1921 and was completed in 1924. It was once described by Robin Boyd as "the best cinema that was ever built or is ever likely to be built.[2]
The building design belongs to the interwar period, and the architectural style is Chicagoesque. The spectacular interior foyers were remodelled in the 1960s to make way for the Capitol Arcade, however the spectacular theatre has been retained.
The Theatre is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. It was purchased by RMIT University in 1999 and is currently used by the university for both university lectures and events. It is also used as a venue for both the Melbourne International Film Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In April, 2005, it was announced that the theatre would get a AUD$190,000 upgrade,[3] including repairs to the ornamental ceiling.
[edit] References
- ^ Walter Burley Griffin Society - Melbourne. www.griffinsociety.org. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ Robin Boyd, The Australian, 24 December 1965
- ^ RMIT - Capitol Theatre gets $190,000 upgrade. www.rmit.edu.au. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
[edit] External links
- Capitol Theatre, Melbourne is at coordinates Coordinates:
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