27 storey office building unveiled for Roxy Theatre in Parramatta

THE lights have been off at the Roxy Theatre for almost four years but plans to bring it back to life have been revealed, mixing old with the new in a 27 storey building in the heart of Parramatta.

The Roxy Theatre lives. It will be redeveloped and open on the Parramatta Civic Link and will include a 27 storey add-on to its rear.

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THE lights have been off at the Roxy Theatre for almost four years but highrise plans may finally bring the Parramatta icon back to life.

Developer David Kingston has unveiled his plans for the site — renovating the facade of the theatre to its former glory and adding a 27-storey office block above the building.

The $96-million design would “ensure the ongoing economic viability of the Roxy as a social and cultural hub,” the developer said.

The Roxy Theatre will be redeveloped and opened on the Parramatta Civic Link with a 27 storey add-on to it's rear.

The Roxy’s 700-seat auditorium would be retained and restored under the plans and would anchor a five-level entertainment, performance and function centre.

In a design statement, Mr Kingston said as the area grew a centre such as the Roxy was needed.

“As Parramatta continues to grow to become the second major CBD in Sydney, there is clearly a need for a high- quality leisure, entertainment and function facility in Parramatta and Sydney’s western suburbs which are generally under serviced for leisure facilities,” Mr Kingston said.

An artist impression of what the Roxy will look like includes the original facade of the building.

RAAarchitects said the Roxy would become the centrepiece of the Civic Link, the council’s proposed connection between the Parramatta Square Civic Centre and the river foreshore.

Mr Kingston, who has owned The Roxy since 2002, had delayed lodging plans for the development until the Civic Link was confirmed.

Save The Roxy Theatre group spokeswoman Clare McCann was thankful to supporters who rallied to keep the original building.

Ornate decoration on The Roxy music venue in Parramatta.

“Congratulations to everyone who has supported the group,” she said.

“Our voices were heard ... We will see our heritage carried on via the arts among the new modern city of Parramatta.”

The group confirmed it had met with Mr Kingston in 2016, with members sharing the good news on social media.

Inside the Roxy Theatre will be renovated into an arts space, with the 27 storeys above.

“Awesome news,” Robyn Denmeade said on Facebook.

“I saw a few movies there as a kid long ago. So glad it will be saved.”

Others were sceptical of the huge addition.

“Reminds me of the Plaza Theatre in Sydney where the lobby was retained and the rest destroyed,” group member Wayne Mortimer said.

“It will be interesting to see how what is left of the former Roxy will be commercially viable.”

The Roxy has had many lives – as a grand cinema in the 1930s, a multiplex in the 1970s and most recently as a restaurant, nightclub and entertainment venue in the 2000s.