AustraliaNSW court to decide the fate of Parramatta's historic Roxy Theatre

© RAA Architects An artist's impression of what the proposed Roxy Theatre redevelopment could look like.

A NSW court is set to decide whether the historic Roxy Theatre in Parramatta will be transformed into an entertainment complex beneath a high-rise office block, or reopened as a city watering hole.

The landmark art deco theatre on George Street has operated as an inter-war picture palace, a Hoyts cinema triplex, a bar and a live music venue.

But the shape it takes next has sparked passionate debate as Parramatta balances its development boom with preservation of the city's heritage.

Roxy owner David Kingston wants to overhaul the 1930s theatre as a multilevel "leisure and cultural facility" with a 700-seat auditorium, ballroom, function centre, cafes, restaurants and retail space.

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While the heritage council said it “strongly supports a reactivation of the Roxy Theatre ” that protected and complemented its Mr Kingston’ s company, K Capital Group, has since launched legal action against the City of Parramatta Council in the NSW Land and Environment Court in a bid to win

Parramatta (/ˌpærəˈmætə/) is a suburb of the City of Parramatta in the state of New South Wales , Australia. It is located approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi)

The ambitious 30-storey building design concept submitted to planning authorities also included office space in a tower set back from the state heritage-listed theatre's facade.

That plan was recommended for rejection by the Heritage Council of NSW and was knocked back by the Sydney West Central Planning Panel last September.

While the heritage council said it "strongly supports a reactivation of the Roxy Theatre" that protected and complemented its state-heritage significance, it opposed the tower's height.

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The Roxy , 69 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150. The Roxy Theatre , built in 1930 was one of Australia’ s premier Theatre palaces. The theatre ’ s main entrance is surmounted by an impressive arch and an ornate quasi-Spanish Mission style tower. One of the foremost Australian theatre circuits

The Land and Environment Court made the decision today to retain the Roxy Theatre in Parramatta in its entirety, overturning a development application “We now look forward to bringing all the parties together including the owner, David Kingston, the City of Parramatta and the NSW Government to

Mr Kingston's company, K Capital Group, has since launched legal action against the City of Parramatta Council in the NSW Land and Environment Court in a bid to win approval for the tower.

The case has been set down for a two-day hearing from June 12.

Mr Kingston previously indicated he would consider reopening the venue as a pub and nightclub if the tower was not approved.

He said that option "would deprive the wider Parramatta and western suburbs communities of the world-class five-level cultural and entertainment facility" he proposed.

In court documents, K Capital Group said there were not enough cultural, leisure and event spaces in Parramatta and western Sydney - particularly in metropolitan centres.

"The Roxy project is much more than just the restoration of a major heritage building.

"The express objective of the owner is for the landmark Roxy restoration and development to become the pre-eminent multi-purpose cultural and leisure facility in western Sydney."

The theatre's auditorium would be restored and reopened under the tower plan, however, that would be financially unviable if the venue reopened as a pub or nightclub, the documents said.

"After four years of collaborative engagement with the authorities, there are only two options for theRoxy.

"[The tower complex] is demonstrably in the interests of the residential and business communities of Parramatta and surrounding suburbs.

"However it cannot occur unless an economically viable tower is approved."

Western Sydney Business Chamber director David Borger last year suggested the Roxy instead be turned into a live music venue, similar to the Enmore Theatre.