Hoyts Cinema Centre

140 Bourke Street,
Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Hoyts Cinemas

Architects: Peter Muller

Firms: Peter Muller

Functions: Gymnasium

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model

The Cinema Centre was Australia’s first pupose built multi-screen cinema. It opened on 4th June 1969 with Genevieve Waite in “Joanna”, Steve McQueen in “The Thomas Crown Affair” and Sidney Poitier in “For Love of Ivy”. It was designed for Hoyts Cinemas chain by architect & architectural firm; Peter Muller of Sydney, with the architectural firm Bernard Evans & Partners as supervising architects. The interior decorations were by Neville Marsh of Sydney. There were originall three auditoriums with seating capacities of 884 in Screen 1, 820 in Screen 2, and 746 in Screen 3. Screens 1 & 2 had seating all on a single level, while Screen 3 had seating in orchestra & balcony levels. There was a large main foyer, and each screen had its own individual foyer. The complex also boasted a cafe. All three screens were equipped for 70mm films, which were projected onto huge deeply curved screens, Screen 1 was 70 feet wide.

In 1981, Screen 3 was subdivided, with the balcony becoming Screen 4. The Hoyts Cinema Centre was closed on 7th September 2005 when the new Hoyts Melbourne Central 11 opened on Swanston Street.

There were plans to convert to retail use, but it eventually was converted into a Virgin Active Gym, that opened in July 2008.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on December 5, 2009 at 3:42 am

Models and original drawings by architect Peter Muller, plus some vintage photographs here:
http://pmi.viewbook.com/20th_century_fox#/1/

bigt
bigt on March 25, 2011 at 10:49 pm

All three cinemas were equipped to screen 70mm film and did so.
Cinema 3 was the smallest of the three theatres.

Submitted by Trevor Walters

itinerama
itinerama on June 18, 2016 at 10:48 pm

I understand that Cinerama Inc were not impressed that they installed 70mm Cinerama size screens but never advertised them as being Cinerama.

itinerama
itinerama on June 18, 2016 at 10:50 pm

The Cinerama film THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD was shown there in 70mm on the huge deeply curved screen, but not advertised as being in Cinerama.

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