Odeon Theatre
214 Tuam Street,
Christchurch
8001
214 Tuam Street,
Christchurch
8001
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October 2019 street view shows the facade still standing, semi trailers stacked in front.
Demolishion of this cinema began on 10 September, 2012. The frontage is in a sad state and is not worth saving. Of the original “hay-day” cinemas, only the Majestic and Avon are left,
Plan is to demolish the stage house plus most of the auditorium up to maybe the balcony area (unless not feasible). The foyer areas look set to be retained at his stage. The cinema suffered catastrophic damage furthered by the June quake. The lower stalls area of the roof has collapsed into floor A truly sorry sight…. Will try and post a few photo’s soon. Christchurch has virtually been wiped of most of it.s remaining cinemas bar the Majestic ( currently being considered for a rescue plan by it.s owners)
Has since been schedule for demolition.
The Odeon has suffered damage due to quake, a slumped portion of roofline over the auditorium (front half) is cause for concern, likewise the trajectory of fallen stagehouse bricks in the same area- interior no word, not currently on the demolition list.
This former cinema suffered damage from the February 22, 2011 Earthquake.
Can anyone tell me what is happening to the Odeon Theatre in Tuam Street, Christchurch. I am from the French West Indies, but would love to have any information regarding this gem of a theatre.
Regards, Riet Petit
Updated News. Currently the Odeon is in a ‘holding patten’ whilst an exciting nexus of ‘lanes’ are developed around the theatre’s vicinity. The Odeon is in a very strong position of being a beacon of the entertainment district once it’s future is finalised.
Nick Paris
Fantastic News- The Odeon Theatre has been sold!!!!. The Theatre has been derelict for about 3 years. It was purchased by Property Ventures Ltd for a undisclosed sum early December. The company guru David Henderson has stated that this Venetian Gothic theatre will restored back to it’s original granduer. I consider it from what i know that likely it will once again reflect it’s entertainment past in it’s future journey. Structural reports are being assembled and analysed as i write and currently the theatre is undergoing weather proofing to stop further damage to it’s internal fabric.
This result is a victory for heritage and a victory for all lovers of the arts in Christchurch.
Cleaned up the theatre today ready for Thursday presentation, everytime i’m in there it causes sweeping sensations of grandeur for the greater film community of Christchurch, many of our film communities are just waiting in the wings to springboard the restoration and upgrade. There will be a display of vintage film posters in the upstairs foyer on Thursday. The general public are invited to attend a tour of the theatre from 7.30pm onwards, join us for drinks and discussion with the Odeon Trustee’s. For further information e-mail/ .nz
Nick Paris
Chairman Odeon Trust
There is some movement on the current owners intentions for the theatre. Of course they still want to sell the building but in tandem with that they drafting plans to turn it into apartments/retail plus incorporating a performance space in the old balcony with a different entrance. I have seen the early drawings, i am not that optomistic they will satisfy the needs of the film/theatre community though. More like a gig venue of sorts to me which will depreciate it’s 130 yr old fabric. The Odeon Trust will hold a special presentation evening on Febuary 16th at 5.30pm at the Odeon to CEO’s of various arts organisations in an effort to raise the idea that it’s public donation that will save this building. The Christchurch City Council will not fund our trust for the purchase of the theatre for reasons that have not been fully explained, i have not been impressed by the actions of the CCC on a communication level.
2006 will be the year i feel where the fate will be known.
REgards,
Nick Paris,Chairman
Odeon Trust
Thanks Nick
I would like to show you one of my favourite theatres in Auckland it’s the lovely Crystal Palace Theatre in Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden
http://groups.msn.com/CrystalPalaceTheatre
I hope you like the photo’s of this lovely theatre apparently it was built in 1929. It is protected by the Historic Places Trust with a Catergory 2 listing since 1982. I went to this lovely theatre to see the movie “Beethoven’s 2nd” (The St Bernard Dog) that was a few years ago.
Please keep me informed of any developments about the Odeon Theatre and I did find another website with some photo’s of the Odeon Theatre on it.
View link
All the best Nick
Regards
Michael Day
Hi Michael
Greetings from the mainland!, glad youv'e tuned in. Keep track of further comments on this excellent site and once again thanks for you interest.
Regards,
Nick Paris
Chairman
Odeon Trust
Hi Nick
Thats good news about the lovely Odeon Theatre being given a Caterogory 2 rating. I hope the owners start fixing the place up and putting it to good use. I received an email from the Embassy Theatre in Wellington letting me know Star Wars Episode 3 will be opening there very soon. It would be nice to see that film opening at the Odeon down there in Christchurch.
Try and stop the developers from getting their way. Little do they reliase that the theatre is more profitable as a theatre rather than having useless aprtments or an ugly office building on the site.
I believe that the Odeon Theatre can be focal building of Christchurch just like the Embassy is to Wellington and the Civic is to Auckland.
I hope everything works out well for you
Pass on my greetings to the rest of the team of the Odeon Trust.
Kind Regards
Michael
Thanks Rex, the Odeon already has a Cat 2 rating both on the Historic Places register as well as Christchurch City Council’s own heritage register, what that classification means is that any change to the buildings use or application for demolition must be a publically notifiable process through the Enviroment Court should parties contest the developers intent.
Kind Regardsand keep up the comments.
Nick.
To Nick
Get in touch with the Historic Places Trust and get them to put a classification / protection notice on it.
They will send you out a form and all you have to do is email it back to them all filled out.
(Place boards up around the doors and openings around the theatre to protect it from further damage).
If anyone has any time or support in general please contact;
Nick Paris
03 9810353 Christchurch NZ
021 045 1645
Update; 02/04/05. The Odeon is still in developers hands. Extensive water damage on the east wall has caused much stress and damage of internal plasterwork. A 14 metre section of guttering has disintegrated. The owner has done nothing about it. Feral cats now have taken over the place, but thankfully only one break-in has occurred thus far. There has been suspicious fires in derelict buildings lately and the Odeon Trust has grave concerns about arson by vandals. As far as progress goes on purchasing the building there is a degree of enertia due to the price set by the property owner. We are continuing our efforts to source all available means to save the Odeon.
As part of Heritage Week in Christchurch the Odeon will open it’s doors for all to view on OCTOBER 21ST from Noon through to 8.00pm, pop in for a coffee and rare peek into New Zealands second oldest cinema. Current owners are staying quiet over the future of the Odeon, it is hoped that a newly formed trust {THE ODEON TRUST} will advocate it’s preservation by seeking funds for purchase in the near future.
Nick Paris
Odeon Trust
Christchurch, New Zealand
savetheodeon.org.nz
FRIENDS OF THE ODEON WERE ON NATIONAL 6PM NEWS TV ONE JULY 8TH 2004. GREAT SHOTS OF THE THEATRE, SIR HOWARD MORRISON PLEDGES HIS SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION BY PLANNING A BEBEFIT CONCERT, ALL PROCEEDS TO THE ODEON. CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL HAVE RECEIVED FEASIBILITY STUDIES ON USAGE AND ARE AWAITING A FURTHER REPORT ON EARTHQUAKE,FIRE AND SAFTEY PLUS A HERITAGE ASSESSMENT.
NICK PARIS
FRIEND OF THE ODEON