Alterations were carried to the plans of James Scott in 1928. Further alterations came in 1934 to the plans of architects Ferguson & McIlveen, however, the same year, plans were also submitted by architect Thomas H. Guthrie, but seemingly not carried out.
Architect was John McBride Neill who also designed the later Lido Cinema further along Shore Road for the same company that owned this cinema. The plans included 6 shops.
In 1931, Francis Thomas Verity (to give him his full name) drew up plans, or acted as consultant for “Designs (or consultant for) ‘super cinema’ (probably a refurbishment of the Belfast Picture House, for which see Marcus Patton, |Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer|” taken from the notes on Ireland’s Architects.
The cinema was drawn up by the architect for John Gaston, “Cinema and block of 5 shops on site of Ballynafeigh National School and other properties, for John Gaston. Opened 12 Dec 1936. To seat 1,424.”
Prior to demolition for the new Picturedrome on the site, additions were made to the cinema in 1928, alterations in 1930, and finally, reconstruction after a fire, with a shelter for waiting patrons, all done by the architect Robert Sharpe Hill. The reconstruction that followed in 1934 were to the plans of John McBride Neill in a superb art-deco style.
The same year that the plans were submitted by John McBride Neill (1935) coincides with another plan submitted by architect Thomas H. Guthrie, at the same location - Holywood Road and Pim’s Avenue, however, Guthrie’s plans weren’t built. Was the site originally an independent’s site sold to Union Cinemas? Or were the plans of Guthrie amended by Neill and built?
Architect for the conversion from retail premises to a cinema was William Moore, these plans were submitted in 1911. Extensive premises of C. Millar & Co., house furnishers, being converted into cinema by Mr Alex Murdoch, Cullingree Rd. Further alterations were carried out to the plans of John MacGeagh in 1930, by then called the Lyric Cinema. John MacGeagh also made further changes in 1932, the removal of side balcony in High Street.
A second architect is noted for this change of use to cinema use. I’m guessing that he was the ‘on site’ architect perhaps, with Bertie Crewe remaining in London mainly? Architect of this cinema was Samuel Stevenson. New cinema. Tenders invited, Aug 1922; ‘nearing completion’, Aug 1923. Contractor: Robert Gilchrist. A ‘colonnaded four-story building with semi-circular corner entrance, whose manager and thirty-piece orchestra changed into evening dress after 5 o'clock each day’ (Patton)
Architect was John McBride Neill. In answer to JohnGn’s question, the last Gaumont to be re-branded to Odeon was the former Gaumont Palace in Doncaster, Yorkshire. This didn’t happen until as late as 1987.
Architect was James Finbarre McCullen.
Architects plans dated 1920, so the cinema opened around that time. A.M. Brennan was the architect.
Michael John Scott is noted as being the architect for this cinema.
Currently (2023) in use as Fuse Gym, the interior has been gutted. At street level, shops, including a pharmacy are present.
Originally planned to seat 520.
Alterations were carried out in 1936 to the plans of John Denis D'Arcy.
Alterations were carried to the plans of James Scott in 1928. Further alterations came in 1934 to the plans of architects Ferguson & McIlveen, however, the same year, plans were also submitted by architect Thomas H. Guthrie, but seemingly not carried out.
Architect was John McBride Neill who also designed the later Lido Cinema further along Shore Road for the same company that owned this cinema. The plans included 6 shops.
Architect was John McBride Neill.
Belfast Corporation approved plans for new lavatories in 1937. Architect was Samuel Stevenson & Sons.
A new paybox was installed in 1956 by architect John McBride Neill.
In 1926, architect John McAlery carried out alterations to the cinema for Sandro Cinema Ltd.
In 1931, Francis Thomas Verity (to give him his full name) drew up plans, or acted as consultant for “Designs (or consultant for) ‘super cinema’ (probably a refurbishment of the Belfast Picture House, for which see Marcus Patton, |Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer|” taken from the notes on Ireland’s Architects.
The cinema was drawn up by the architect for John Gaston, “Cinema and block of 5 shops on site of Ballynafeigh National School and other properties, for John Gaston. Opened 12 Dec 1936. To seat 1,424.”
Architect for this cinema was John McBride Neill. Alterations were made in 1939 to designs of Thomas McLean.
Architect of the Park Cinemas was Thomas Robert Eager.
Architect Thomas McLean also made some alterations in 1935.
Prior to demolition for the new Picturedrome on the site, additions were made to the cinema in 1928, alterations in 1930, and finally, reconstruction after a fire, with a shelter for waiting patrons, all done by the architect Robert Sharpe Hill. The reconstruction that followed in 1934 were to the plans of John McBride Neill in a superb art-deco style.
The plans by the architect John McBride Neill were for John Gaston, who sold the cinema to Union Cinemas circuit.
The same year that the plans were submitted by John McBride Neill (1935) coincides with another plan submitted by architect Thomas H. Guthrie, at the same location - Holywood Road and Pim’s Avenue, however, Guthrie’s plans weren’t built. Was the site originally an independent’s site sold to Union Cinemas? Or were the plans of Guthrie amended by Neill and built?
Architect for the conversion from retail premises to a cinema was William Moore, these plans were submitted in 1911. Extensive premises of C. Millar & Co., house furnishers, being converted into cinema by Mr Alex Murdoch, Cullingree Rd. Further alterations were carried out to the plans of John MacGeagh in 1930, by then called the Lyric Cinema. John MacGeagh also made further changes in 1932, the removal of side balcony in High Street.
A second architect is noted for this change of use to cinema use. I’m guessing that he was the ‘on site’ architect perhaps, with Bertie Crewe remaining in London mainly? Architect of this cinema was Samuel Stevenson. New cinema. Tenders invited, Aug 1922; ‘nearing completion’, Aug 1923. Contractor: Robert Gilchrist. A ‘colonnaded four-story building with semi-circular corner entrance, whose manager and thirty-piece orchestra changed into evening dress after 5 o'clock each day’ (Patton)
Architect was John McBride Neill. In answer to JohnGn’s question, the last Gaumont to be re-branded to Odeon was the former Gaumont Palace in Doncaster, Yorkshire. This didn’t happen until as late as 1987.
The contractor noted as having built the cinema is John Curran.
Architect was Frederick Turner Waddington. The canopy was added in 1938 to the plans of Tulloch & Fitzsimmons.