Minerva Theatre (Sydney)

 Streamline Moderne (architecture), Art Deco (architecture), listed building / architectural heritage, 1939_construction

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1939/ esigned by Bruce Dellit, who also designed the Anzac war memorial in Hyde Park, the Minerva/Metro theatre has had a long association with the nightlife of Kings Cross and Sydney's stage and screen world.
Originally a live venue, it was converted to the Metro Cinema in 1950, before returning to live shows in 1969. It ceased operating as a theatre in 1979. The Metro Minerva Theatre Action Group (MTAG) formed in 2019 is lobbying for its reinstatement.
The Art Deco theatre was designed for comfort, with lounge seating and only 1000 seats. The stage had a proscenium design and there were two small side stages.

The City of Sydney heritage citation states that :

"The Metro Theatre, although altered, is an exceptional example and represents the apotheosis of the Art Deco Streamline Moderne style in New South Wales. The Metro Theatre has an expertly controlled geometric massing of the exterior form, exhibiting all the trademarks of the Streamline Moderne style. Strongly influenced by Expressionism, the tower is one of the most strikingly successful Streamline Moderne structures ever realised in New South Wales. Although altered internally, the shell of the auditorium remains. Strongly influenced by Expressionism, the auditorium is one of the most striking theatre interiors ever realised in New South Wales."