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Astor Theatre

Location 1 Chapel Street,, ST KILDA VIC 3182 - Property No B5891 File Number B5891 Level State

[1/1] B5891 Astor Theatre

Statement of Significance

Designed by architect, Ron Taylor, this theatre opened in April 1936 with a seating capacity of 1692. Equipped with all the latest technological advances such as hearing-aid sockets built into the seats and a Western Electric Sound System, the interior also possessed unusually spacious lounges for a suburban theatre and a distinctive decorative scheme which included a generously sized oval light well over the ticket lobby with fine chevron pattern friezes achieved in wrought iron. These elements and the strong and intricate colour scheme survive. Built for Astor Theatres Ltd., the site chosen was reputedly once that of a stable - the wall of which survives at the rear.
Significance: An unusually complete Moderne style cinema with a distinctively designed interior (partiularly the lobbies) and brick facade. It is one of a small group of intact cinemas which survive from this pre-war period of prolific theatre construction.
Classified: 01/10/1987