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Birmingham lets fly
by laserforce
Author John Birmingham is not mincing words in his Fairfax blog post on the demise of the 1920s Regent Theatre in Brisbane, which closes next month. It was the last built of Frank Thring’s five Regent Theatres and was partially demolished and renovated in 1980. It is now to be replaced by an office tower, or as Birmingham calls it, “an eleventy million storey pile of arse”.
..we keep tearing down the old buildings without a thought to the crap, featureless landscape we’re leaving in their place.
Multiplex’s Chris McCluskey said in 2008 that leaving the bulding without a tenant was the worse alternative.
“It’s all about creating the commerce to protect and enhance Brisbane’s CBD amenity.”
The planning permit was called in by the state government in 2008, and amended to allow demolition of the box cinemas but forcing the retention of the listed grand foyer. Three smaller cinemas will be included, for weekend use only.
Here’s the John Wardle proposal :
History of the Regent
Save the Regent
Walking Melbourne thread
Posted by Peter on 14.05.10 in heritage
comment
there is no case for preserving any of the mantlepeice leaners doghouses in the future? just a shitty dull glass box to replace a fabulous building. time to split the profession in 2.
by hairdresser on 14/05/10 ·#
brisbane, how can you let these mexican folk come and destroy your culture?
its a disgusting, money hungry development.
the hairdresser is right, the profession needs to wake up to itself.
by opinion on 14/05/10 ·#
wot isn’t mentioned in article is mantlepiece leaner is screwing with Harry S’s Hilton. Tarting it up with a lame marxican BS. 2nd hand cobbler lingerie? balance of proposal might be a tiresome collection of out of date answers to unfashionable cold topics? Y don’t marxicans keep their crisis of creativity in their own city?
by hairdresser on 14/05/10 ·#
I had nothing against the external design until I realised that they are screening over the Seidler facade on Elizabeth Street. Can’t understand why you’d do that – unless the developers required everything to appear as one complex rather than three. The screening looks like it might peel off if the next developer has a change of heart, or a strong wind blows in.
by peter on 14/05/10 ·#
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