Roxy Theatre Parramatta now a target for squatters and thieves

Shocking footage has emerged revealing how a once-grand art deco cinema has turned into an abandoned building attracting squatters and thieves.

Astonishing footage has shown how the imposing, heritage-listed Roxy cinema went from a venue filled with moviegoers to a dilapidated building attracting squatters and thieves.

A video filmed in February shows how easy it was to enter the 91-year-old George St landmark, which is strewn with nightclub furniture, promotional material and signs of squatters such as a pillow and coffee cups littered inside the once romantic walls of the Spanish Mission style facade cinema-turned club.

Videographer Marley Graham and his three mates just opened a side door and entered the theatre.

“I didn’t quite expect to be as dilapidated as it was,’’ he said.

“I’m a sucker for art deco and inside I was awe-struck. It was something I never experienced before.

“If there’s an abandoned building, it’s very rare you’re going to find one that’s decayed. It’s sad because some of these places are very beautiful.

The bar area of the Roxy Theatre at Parramatta in February 2021.

The shocking Adventures with Marley footage prompted Parramatta councillor Donna Davis to call for Arts Minister Don Harwin to step in and ramp up the protection of the building to save it from plunging into further deterioration and fall victim to an arson attack.

“I fear it because if it’s that easy for people to enter the building once, then it’s a possibility of it happening again, and they obviously were not the first people to be in there,’’ Cr Davis said.

“There was evidence there had been squatters and damage done inside, if not irreparable damage,’’ she said.

“There was disruption to the building. The bottom line for me is that we have got such a wonderful building in The Roxy, it’s got such a rich history and it’s got so much potential to be reinvigorated as a performance space.’’

It was easy for a film crew to explore the dilapidated Roxy. Picture: Adventures of Marley/YouTube

Cr Davis fears that it could be subject to an arson attack or suffer a worse state if repairs are not taken swiftly.

Much of the club’s contents and the tiered seating of the cinema remain after a decision to shut in 2014.

The Roxy’s owner David Kingston said the cinema had been subject to several copper thefts over the past six years but said upgraded 24-hour security had been installed.

“The heritage area is fine,’’ he said.

“There’s certainly been people who have broken in over the last few years and they have pulled copper out but there’s a very good alarm system there.

The film crew managed to break into the projector room. Picture: Adventures of Marley/YouTube

“There’s been no one inside for several months and I think it’s under control. It’s very well looked after.’’

Mr Kingston said intruders resold the stolen copper pipes for scrap.

However, Cr Davis disagreed.

“The condition of the exterior and footage of the interior certainly don’t show any signs of love,’’ she said.

Thieves have broken into the former cinema and nightclub several times to steal copper. Picture: Adventures of Marley/YouTube

The Roxy Theatre at Parramatta circa 1930. Picture: Parramatta & Cumberland District Heritage, History and Memories

The Parramatta icon once had a conspicuous pink facade. Picture: Nicole Emanuel

Plans for the 24-hour venue surfaced after an original vision for the Roxy to be redeveloped into a 33-storey “leisure and cultural’’ facility were rejected in the Land and Environment Court in June 2019.

The court found the extent of demolition proposed by the $96 million proposal “would have an unacceptable detrimental impact on the heritage significance of the Roxy Theatre”.

The plans are at odds with the view of heritage advocates — including Toongabbie boy turned Hollywood filmmaker Bruce Beresford — who wants to restore the imposing cinema to its former glory and use it for theatre and music.

Arts Minister Don Harwin said the State Government would work with Parramatta Council and Mr Kingston “regarding any opportunities that may arise in regard to the Roxy Theatre”.

“Maintenance of heritage properties is a key obligation of heritage owners who must meet the Minimum Standards of Maintenance and Repair under the NSW Heritage Act 1977.”

On the July 26 council meeting, the chamber supported Cr Davis’ motion to write to Mr Harwin.

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