Cinema City, Perth
| Cinema City | |
|---|---|
Cinema City in 2007 | |
Interactive map of the Cinema City area | |
General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Location | 580 Hay Street, Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°57′14″S 115°51′40″E / 31.954°S 115.861°E |
| Opening | 6 November 1980 |
| Closed | 17 October 2007 |
| Demolished | January 2008 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Robert Day |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 494 (cinema 1); 580 (cinema 2); 394 (cinema 3); 790 (cinema 4)[1] |
Cinema City was a multiplex cinema located on Hay Street in Perth, Western Australia. It operated from 1980 to 2007 and was demolished in 2008.
The building was notable to locals for its imposing architecture and spacious, futuristic interiors.[2][1][3] At the time of its opening, it was the largest cinema complex in Western Australia.[4]
History
The cinema was first conceived by Sir James Cruthers of TVW. It was designed by Perth architect Robert Day who was also responsible for the design of the original TVW studio in Dianella.[4]
Cinema City was opened on 6 November 1980 and was originally operated by Grand Cinemas.[5] It had four screens with provisions for the construction of a fifth. Cinema 4 had stadium-style seating.[6] At the time of opening, it was the largest cinema in Western Australia. It was capable of projecting most major film formats and had a custom-built Dolby audio system.[3] An opening ceremony was held with a parade from Perth Entertainment Centre and Premier Charles Court in attendance.[4] The first film shown at the cinema was The Blues Brothers.[2]
The lobby featured a 14 metre high interior with chromed fittings and multi-coloured carpets.[1][3] Six television screens displayed trailers for current and upcoming films.[3] Media scholar John Hartley described the televisions in the foyer of Cinema City as an example of the breakdown between television and cinema in the 1980s.[7]
The cinema won the WA Access and Mobility Committee's plaque for its accessibility features, which included lifts, space for wheelchairs, and emergency call buttons.[8]
The first McDonald's franchise in Western Australia was opened at Cinema City in 1982.[9]
In 1988, after a change of ownership at TVW,[4] the cinema was taken over by Hoyts.[10][11] The property was sold in 1999 to Westpoint Corporation for $13 million.[1]
In 2001, Hoyts Cinema City won an award presented by the Disability Services Commission for "action on access in the private sector". Cinema City was the only cinema in Western Australia screening captioned films at the time.[12]
On 17 October 2007, after 27 years of operation, Cinema City was closed.[4] Demolition of the complex began in January 2008.[1] Later that year, construction was started on the Equus skyscraper, a 27-storey residential and office building that stands on the site currently. The building was completed in 2011.[13]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Cinema City". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ a b Hall, Sally. "Film buffs and cinephiles: take a look back at Perth's magic movie theatres over the years". Perth is OK!. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ a b c d Alexander, Ken. "Great picture palaces of the past". State Library of Western Australia. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Cinema City". Western Australian TV History. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ Newell, Daniel (22 November 2022). "Grand cinemas: Family-owned Grand Cinemas in administration after pandemic restrictions kill off crowds". Perth Now. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ "Cinema City - Perth". Hoyts. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ Hartley, John (2003). Tele-ology: Studies in Television. Routledge. p. 214. ISBN 978-1-134-91654-2.
- ^ Myatt, Bill (1980-12-17). "The Glitter in Perth's Heart". The Australian Women's Weekly. p. 38.
- ^ Saunders, Amanda (21 September 2011). "First Maccas' franchisee celebrates anniversary". The West Australian. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ "Annual Bulletin September 2024" (PDF). The Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ "Cinema Web: Perth City". Pictures in Motion. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ McHale, Sheila. "Winners of disability access awards announced". Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ^ "Equus". The Skyscraper Centre. Retrieved 9 April 2026.