Technical Paper 2 – Heritage Assessment - Transport for NSW ...

ItemState Theatre 49–51 Market Street(Map Reference 37)Heritage Listings • State Heritage RegisterStatement ofSignifi cance• Sydney LEP 2005, Schedule 8 Part 1• Draft Sydney LEP 2011The State Theatre, Sydney is of national heritage signifi cance at an exceptional level, as a majormilestone in the development of the cinema building in Australia, being a departure from the then popular‘atmospheric cinemas’ and one of the last of the great fl amboyant cinemas erected in the late 1920s,just prior to the Great Depression. It achieved a spatial enclosure of extraordinary fantasy, brilliantlycapturing the cinema going spirit of the times. In the State Theatre nothing was real, everything wasfantasy, there to stimulate the imagination of the visitor and movie patron. It’s architectural compositionis unique in Australia. The architectural and spatial progression from the introductory gothic imageryon the street frontage, through the 14th century Gothic Hall and Robert Adam inspired Empire Roomto the Baroque drama of the Rotunda and French Empire decorated foyers into the splendour of themain auditorium is an experience unparalleled in any 19th or 20th century building in New South Wales.The interiors that make up this composition are of the highest of quality design in terms of theatricalityand execution, they remain almost completely intact and in excellent condition. The surviving sectionsof the gothic detailing are unique, of the highest quality craftsmanship and of exceptional significance.The State Theatre achieved a consistency of execution by the use of the gothic motif not only in themain street level foyers, as the spatial introduction to the Theatre and shopping areas, but across thewhole street frontage, over the full extent of the multi storey Market and George Streets facades andthroughout the upper interior levels of the Shopping Block. The original gothic imagery of the street levelfaade and on the soffi t of the awning, refl ected and set the scene for the lavish interiors. The detailingremains almost intact and in good condition, except where Art Deco decoration was substituted in 1937.The 1937 Market Street shop front alterations have a high level of cultural signifi cance as a fi ne andnow rare example of Art Deco style of shopfront design, executed at a time when the Shopping Blockneeded a radical new image to counter fl agging consumer support.Proposed works • No physical works are proposed for this item.• Columns, rail beams and concrete pedestals to be removed on the opposite side of the street in aconfi ned streetscape.Heritage Impact • Improvement to setting and views.• No adverse impact on the identified heritage signifi cance of this item provided measures are takento prevent accidental physical impact.MitigationMeasures• Refi nement of the removal methodology to minimise the potential for damage to this building.• Preventative measures to be taken as necessary to avoid any physical impact on this building.• Any damage should be “made good” under the supervision of an experienced heritage practitioner.68Monorail Removal ProjectStatement of Heritage ImpactNovember 2012Graham Brooks & Associates Pty Ltd