This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Regent Theatre in Richmond, north of Sydney, has hit the market with expectations of attracting film lovers to the iconic offering.
They might have some company too, with the 145 Windsor Street property reportedly home to a phantom, according to staff and moviegoers, as well as a ghost that spends its time in the stairwell, according to local rag the Hawkesbury Gazette.
The twin theatre has operated from the site for more than 80 years, opening in 1935, and is being marketed by John Chancellor of Matrix Property Group.
“We expect significant interest in the theatre – unique offers like this don’t come along every day. It is an eccentric category that is so niche and we think someone connected to the film industry or a lover of cinema will be drawn to it,” he said.
“While we think a movie buff will buy the theatre, it could also be suited to a diverse range of other uses,”
The theatre is currently trading as the Regent Twin Cinema, and offers a profitable trade as well as redevelopment potential, including tourism, entertainment, community or place of worship uses.
The cinema was awarded Business of the Year at the 2014 Hawkesbury Local Business Awards.
The two-level 1930s art deco/Spanish mission style building was designed by Hebert & Wilson, and features two separate auditoriums fitted with a Barco digital projectors, with seating for 261 and 287 patrons respectively. One offers features a “crying room” for babies and parents, and the other a separate upstairs lounge.
It was listed as a heritage item in the Hawkesbury Local Environment Plan 2012.
The theatre was originally owned by Michael Walsh and run by his daughters from 1948 until 1976, when it was sold to the unrelated television personality Mike Walsh.
He restored the theatre, which was used for movie screenings and live presentations, before it was sold to current owner John Levy in 1989, who re-opened the site as a twin cinema in 1993.
Australian Property Journal