Music, arts hub planned for Brisbane’s historic Princess theatre

A 133 year-old inner Brisbane theatre will be transformed into a music and arts hub as part of a redevelopment by the investors behind the transformation of The Tivoli.

The 133-year-old The Princess theatre will be transformed into a music and arts hub as part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment by the investors behind the transformation of The Tivoli.

Brothers Steve and Dave Sleswick along with prominent Brisbane businessman Steve Wilson purchased the historic Woolloongabba theatre for $3.7m last December from Lifecity Church. They plan to reopen it in August as a sister venue to the Tivoli.

The heritage-listed building, which opened in 1888, has over the years been used to house a picture theatre for silent movies, a rag merchant, secondhand dealer, a paper wholesaler, an engineering firm and most recently a church.

Dave Sleswick said it was vital to return the theatre to the community to be used as it was originally intended. “It is such a shame that so many theatres in Brisbane have been bought and renovated, but not used as theatres,” said Mr Sleswick.

“Because The Princess had so many owners and uses over the years it never reached its full potential. Our aim is to ensure it does reach that potential.”

Artist’s impression of proposed redevelopment of The Princess Theatre. Picture: supplied

The centrepiece of the redevelopment includes a state-of-the-art performance auditorium designed for a standing capacity of 900, and a seated theatre capacity of 500.

It also will feature four bars, a public café, private event spaces, a rehearsal room, co-working creative office and workshop space and an outdoor courtyard.

Mr Sleswick said an ongoing program at the theatre would feature world-class music and contemporary performance along with corporate and private events. “Coming out of COVID-19, people want to be involved in social settings and performers want to perform,” he said.

Steve Wilson, a former chair of the South Bank Corporation and current head of the Committee for Brisbane, said the “reawakening” of The Princess would cement Woolloongabba as Brisbane’s newest entertainment and lifestyle destination.

“Brisbane’s reputation as a leading global city is dependent on it having a vibrant arts scene with more dedicated live music and entertainment venues,” Mr Wilson said.

In 2016, the Sleswicks purchased he historic Tivoli Theatre in Fortitude Valley after it was earmarked for development.

Leading heritage architect JDA, whose work includes the revitalisation of the Elizabeth Picture Theatre, interiors expert Sophie Hart, and builder Herron Coorey will helm the redevelopment.

Building works have started with a reopening slated for late August 2021. The Princess’s inaugural program is set to be announced mid-May.

The sale of the theatre was negotiated by Adam Willmore from K2 Private Property.

Artist’s impression of what the redeveloped Princess Theatre will look like.

Originally published as Music, arts hub planned for Brisbane’s historic Princess theatre