Randwick Ritz Cinema: $400k plan to upgrade iconic venue
A heritage-listed cinema built in the 1930s in Sydney’s east could soon receive a major facelift after a $400,000 plan to upgrade the popular venue was revealed.
Southern Courier
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Randwick’s iconic Ritz Cinema could soon undergo a major facelift as part of a $400,000 plan to upgrade the venue.
The cinema – famous for its art deco architecture and $10 tickets for members – has been forced to close its doors temporarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, that has not stopped new owner Eddie Tamir from investing further in the cinema, submitting a development application with Randwick Council this week to upgrade the building.
The proposed changes include demolishing and replacing the candy bar on the ground floor, refurbishing the bar on the mezzanine floor, installing new ticket kiosks, upgrading the bathrooms, and creating lounge rooms on the western side of the building.
Timber flooring will also be added to some areas of the heritage-listed cinema which was built in 1937.
“It is the intention of the new owners to undertake alterations and additions and refurbishment of the Ritz Cinema,” the proposal read.
“The proposed minor demolition works and proposed alterations … will enhance the internal foyer and bar areas to improve customer amenity and comfort.”
The proposal stated the changes would not result in any impacts on the heritage significance of the site.
Early last year, the Ritz Cinema was bought by the Tamir family.
The Tamir family has a history of operating and renovating heritage cinemas and operates three cinemas in Victoria, all built between the 1880s and 1930s.
The Ritz Cinema was built in the 1930s and five new theatres were added to the site between 1996 and 2001.
In November 2019, another development application was lodged with the council for the construction of two further cinemas at the rear of the Ritz in the rear laneway, to be known as cinemas seven and eight.
That development application is currently under assessment.