This iconic building has been empty for 10 years… now a bitter dispute has erupted over its future after the owner unveiled some highly unpopular plans

The owner of an iconic old theatre has angered locals after revealing plans to convert the venue into an entertainment precinct and reduce the capacity of the stage and audience.

Property developer David Kingston wants to transform the Roxy Theatre in Parramatta, Sydney’s west, into an entertainment hub with restaurants, bars and cafes.

The Baroque-style Spanish Theatre with its palm-lined courtyard first opened in 1930.

The ornate cinema originally had a capacity of 1,924 and was run by the Hoyts and Village Cinemas chains. It closed in 2003.

Mr. Kingston converted the Roxy into a nightclub and restaurants, but closed the business in 2014.

The developer had submitted plans to build a skyscraper above the theater in 2015, but these were rejected by the Planning and Environment Court.

The owner’s new plans for the building, which was added to the State Heritage Register in 1999, will cost $20 million and also include terraces and bars.

Mr Kingston believes the renovation offers the best opportunity to revitalise the area’s nightlife. Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Proposed plans for the Roxy Theatre in Parramatta in Sydney’s west include demolishing the rear and adding a modern three-storey building (pictured)

The owner and developer of the Spanish Baroque Theatre hopes to establish restaurants, cafes and bars there, turning it into an entertainment area (pictured is the Roxy Theatre in 1993)

Opponents of the proposal argue the site would be better redeveloped as a Capitol Theatre for western Sydney, which could host live music events in addition to theatre and musical productions.

However, they believe the plans could put an end to this, thanks in part to a proposal to halve the auditorium’s capacity to just 900 seats on the top floor.

There is a wave of protesters putting pressure on Premier Chris Minns to keep his 2023 election promise and secure the Roxy as a major cultural venue.

Robert Fox, chairman of the Roxy Theatre Action Group, said the plans for the stage area were simply not big enough.

‘The plans show a stage and some behind-the-scenes facilities as part of [an auditorium]“But these are symbolic spaces that would lead a layperson to think the Roxy is being restored,” he said.

‘Actually, the stage is only big enough for a comedian or a rock band, it certainly won’t be big enough for an orchestra or any other theatre production.’

Under the current plan submitted by Mr Kingston, the rear of the theatre will be demolished and a three-storey extension will be built.

The extension will feature a café and bar, as well as backstage rehearsal spaces.

There will also be a future Metro West stop.

The theatre plans include a reference to the new Metro West stop and a new outdoor pedestrian path (pictured)

Built in 1930 and used as a cinema and nightclub over the years, the new plan will halve the theatre’s original seating capacity (pictured in 1942)

The auditorium on the top floor is suitable for live music, award ceremonies and comedy shows.

The western and eastern walls of the building are opened up to create a colonnade, outdoor dining areas and walking paths.

However, Mr Kingston said if the plans are approved by the council, the timeline for the renovation would depend on how long work around the Metro West stop and the Civic Link pedestrian and cyclist path next to the Roxy takes.

“Metro also immediately closed public roads and alleys leading to their excavation site on the southern and western boundaries of the Roxy,” he said.

‘The Roxy is ready for a thorough renovation, but this can only take place if Metro intervenes and accelerates the work.’

David Borger, managing director of Business Western Sydney, said the Roxy should be seen as just one part of an entertainment precinct in Parramatta.

He said the area had become a “music desert” and the refurbishment of the Roxy and the Metro West venue opening next door was the “biggest opportunity” to create a “night-time economy”.