Parramatta Lord Mayor pushes for Roxy Theatre revival via NSW Government purchase

Fuelled by fond memories of his youth and a key political goal, the Parramatta Lord Mayor is pushing for the government to purchase and restore the CBD’s iconic theatre.

The Roxy Theatre has been vacant for 11 years. Picture: Thomas Lisson

He met his wife there 20 years ago and now the Parramatta Lord Mayor has urged the state government to purchase the Roxy Theatre and revitalise the landmark which has been vacant for more than a decade.

This is despite the 95-year-old theatre’s private owners, K Capital Group, declaring it would not sell the theatre as it fights the government for compensation in the NSW Supreme Court.

The company claims the Sydney Metro has blocked access to a building that could have reopened in 2020.

Martin Zaiter, who listed the Art Deco theatre’s restoration as one of his key priorities, declared “without a doubt” the government can accelerate the revival if it bought it.

“It’s time our state government put their money where their mouth is and support council’s bold vision in creating a thriving cultural precinct in our CBD,’’ the Liberal councillor said.

Cr Zaiter wants the council to buy the Roxy despite it being under private ownership. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The beloved theatre turned cinema became a nightclub when David Kingston bought the venue in 2002 and shut it in 2014.

Cr Zaiter is the most recent generation to use the venue and part of a wave of locals who longs for it to be restored.

Martin and Carmen Zaiter in 2007, two years after they met at the Roxy.

“The Roxy will forever be a special place to Carmen and I, as this was the place that we first met back in 2005,’’ he said.

“Like us, thousands of others have also created special memories at the Roxy over the decades.

“A restored Roxy Theatre would amplify Parramatta’s ability to attract and cultivate the next generation of performers.’’

Cr Zaiter said he had not received any recent correspondence on the Roxy Theatre from Parramatta state Labor MP or Arts Minister John Graham recently.

An undated photo shows the former opulence of the Roxy.

After several years of preparing a business case, a spokeswoman for Create NSW – the state government’s arts and cultural agency – has said it has finalised it and was now with the government for consideration.

Mr Kingston has declared the “Roxy is not for sale”.

He said he was ready to reopen the Roxy in 2019-20 with the 2002-approved development application and existing hotel licence.

“However the Metro works have blocked the Roxy’s renovation which has caused me to issue legal action against Metro for major loss and damage,’’ he said.

“Large iconic licensed hotels such as the Roxy are very valuable.’’

The George St theatre has a capacity of more than 2300 patrons with 30m of George St frontage and 80m of Civic Link frontage.

The iconic theatre will join the Metro site where four towers have been approved for construction.

Asked if he would support the government undertaking compulsory acquisition of the Roxy, Cr Zaiter said “all options need to be considered”.

Cr Zaiter will now write to the Arts, Music and Night Time Economy Minister John Graham, Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe and Parramatta MP Donna Davis MP, to advocate for the Roxy’s purchase and revitalisation.

The Minns Government made a commitment to fund the Roxy business case at the 2023 election.

“I continue to be a passionate advocate for its protection and revival, noting that it is privately owned,’’ she said.

“A business case has now been finalised for the government to consider. I hope to provide further updates once this process has been completed.”

Originally published as Parramatta Lord Mayor pushes for Roxy Theatre revival via NSW Government purchase