Behind Majestic Cinemas’ six-year quest to launch new location in historic Wynnum development

They’re the operators of Wynnum’s first cinema in almost 60 years but see exactly what it took to make it all happen.

A glamorous party, fireworks and celebrity appearances – the operators of a rising bayside suburb’s first cinema in almost 60 years were celebrated in the perfect way last week.

However, the man in charge of Majestic Cinemas - who last week announced their new Wynnum venue would be their ninth location around Australia - has revealed it almost never happened.

More than 600 people, including celebrities such as rugby league legend Wally Lewis, gathered at the Waterloo Bay Hotel on February 6 as Ham Bros and Berrima Develop Pty Ltd’s Justin Ham unveiled Majestic as the operators of the new cinema, which will launch next month.

Majestic Cinemas CEO Kieren Dell.

The cinema is part of the $30 million development project on Berrima St, which also features the residential complex, Lato Baia and there will also be a fancy, new cafe opening as part of the venue.

But Majestic Cinemas CEO Keiren Dell said their quest to open in Wynnum seemed like it might not happen after several other venues “did not work”.

“We were first contacted by a local real estate agent, in September 2015 about whether we were interested in looking at a cinema in Wynnum,” he said.

”The old library site was the first proposed, which was not going to work as it turned out. “Then two other potential sites were looked at, including a council-owned site and some preliminary discussions with council, but again, it was not going to work.”

The Majestic Cinemas team at their Nambour venue.

Mr Dell then said being introduced to Justin Ham in 2017 changed everything.

“He had a vision for a cinema and apartment block across the road from the Waterloo Bay Hotel,” he said.

“We then worked on getting plans together and a commercial agreement, while Justin lodged a development application for approval, which he duly obtained.

“After some false starts, the commercial agreement and lease were finalised in mid-2019, with building then commencing.

“Originally, the aim was to open by late 2020, however with COVID delays to movie releases, this was then put back to March 2021.”

Majestic then shared the approximately $8 million cost, along with Ham Bros/Berrima Develop Pty Ltd, to open the cinema.

The team at Majestic Cinemas Nambour.

Mr Dell said they wanted to invest in Wynnum because they believed it was an area “crying out” for a cinema.

”With the nearest cinemas for the residents some 20 plus minutes drive away and a catchment of around 60,000 people, it was a viable area for a significant cinema development,” he said.

“It also had a committed business community and residents who really wanted a cinema in their area.

“And finally, we could see that there would be medium density high-rise developments, which would increase the population, as well as a potential influx of Baby Boomers and others looking for the bayside lifestyle.

Developer Justin Ham poses for a photograph at the site of Wynnum Cinema in 2019 before construction started. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Walker

“A bigger population in the future with increased incomes made the prospect of a cinema even more viable.”

Wynnum is experiencing a development and entertainment boom with not only giant residential developments hitting the area but new restaurants, cafes and bars also giving the previously quiet bayside suburb a scene it has never had before.

And Mr Dell believes the cinema will be the icing on the cake.

“Cinemas are a social hub, they assist in the night-life of an area by offering an entertainment option, provide family entertainment locally as well as a diverse range of content,” he said.

“Cinema has been shown to be one of the best things for mental health, with the vast majority of the population going to the movies at least annually.

“Local groups will be able to fundraise, couples can go on a date to the premium cinemas and have a meal and drink with their movies and film buffs will enjoy a range of events from art films to concerts as well as blockbusters and art-house movies.

General photograph of cinema and Lato Baia apartments development in Wynnum in September last year. Picture: Richard Walker

“(Wynnum) is clearly moving to more medium density housing with water views, meaning increasingly cashed up buyers moving in to the area who expect entertainment on their doorstep.

“The increase in bars, restaurants and cafes in the area since we have been coming to Wynnum is a testament to this already, and I can only see this increasing.”

Mr Dell also believed Majestic were the perfect fit for Wynnum because of their successful history in regional towns.

“Majestic Cinemas has cinemas in major regional centres and smaller country towns, and brings a sense of country service to Wynnum,” he said.

“The bayside sees itself as a bit separate from Brisbane and a bit like a country town in the city, so we believe our ethos will fit in well.

“We build strong ties in the community and already the community has been very welcoming.

“We also program each of our sites for the specific needs of the area, and Wynnum will want slightly different content to our other sites, and so we look forward to bringing a varied and diversified program of content to our Wynnum patrons.”