Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council has backed a commitment of $15 million towards the restoration of the St James Theatre. The council’s funding is one part of an agreement between the council, central government and the owner of the St James.
The decision to uphold the grant came at today’s Governing Body meeting. Mayor Wayne Brown says the council’s commitment will enable public access to the theatre in the future.
“I’m keen to get on with things to improve the safety and amenity of mid-town Auckland as a priority. My expectation is the funding will allow work to begin immediately to clean up the eyesore on Queen Street at the same time as the theatre restoration. Residents and visitors will hopefully see an improvement to this important part of the city as a result. It’s been left like this far too long,” says Mayor Brown.
How will the funding help?
This decision cements the pledge made by Auckland Council in 2016. The council is only one piece of this puzzle, and the restoration requires funding from all the parties involved to go ahead.
The funding will help to carry out critical foundational and strengthening work which aims to prepare the St James to operate for many years to come. It will enable the theatre to reopen and be operational, with a total capacity of approximately 900 people seated, or 1800 standing.
A star-studded past
Designed by architect Henry Eli White, St James Theatre is a unique blend of traditional and Spanish-renaissance styles. It sits at the heart of central Auckland’s arts quarter between the art gallery, library, Civic Theatre and Town Hall. Conservation of the St James will positively complement other critical investments and rejuvenation efforts in central Auckland.
After first opening its doors in 1928 as a Vaudeville theatre, the St James was part of a wave of theatres built worldwide in the 1920s for live performance. It was later converted to show off the new world of motion pictures. Notable performers such as Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh have graced the St James stage over its long history, as well as James Brown, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Aotearoa New Zealand’s own Sir Howard Morrison.