Gretel Packer plans Minerva Theatre revival
Gretel Packer is planning to restore Sydney’s historic Minerva Theatre as a live performance venue, reversing a hotel redevelopment proposal that threatened to leave the Kings Cross landmark with a much smaller auditorium.
Through her company Sacred Firebird, the philanthropist has begun consulting residents, businesses and the arts community on the future of the heritage-listed building at 28-30 Orwell Street, Potts Point.
Tribe Studio Architects’ Hannah Tribe has been appointed to lead the project.
Heritage architect Hector Abrahams is also involved.
Ms Packer said the project would help restore a theatre with a long-standing place in Sydney’s cultural history.
What is planned
The vision includes restoring the theatre’s distinctive illuminated tower and Art Moderne foyer, while adapting the 1939 building to meet contemporary safety, accessibility and performance requirements.
The final seating capacity remains under consideration. Early plans point to a mid-sized venue with about 700-800 seats, although Mr Abrahams has described a 900-seat auditorium as a possible outcome.
Ms Tribe said the intention was to restore the building’s role as a cultural destination.
The theatre is intended to provide an accessible venue for artists and audiences.
The plans aim to attract new productions and performances and live entertainment.
Minerva Theatre
The Minerva opened as a 1000-seat live theatre designed by architects Kaberry and Chard.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquired it in 1948, converting it into a cinema four years later.
Live theatre returned in 1969 when producer Harry M Miller staged the Australian production of Hair, featuring John Waters and a teenage Marcia Hines.
The building later became a shopping centre before film-maker George Miller and Byron Kennedy’s Kennedy Miller Productions acquired it in 1982 as a production base.
Mr Miller sold the property to Abacus Property Group for $19.m in 2019.
Developer Central Element subsequently acquired it and pursued a scheme for a 63-room boutique hotel, food and beverage outlets and a 250-seat performance space.
The proposal received planning approval but faced sustained opposition from residents and theatre advocates seeking the return of a full-scale performance venue.
Sacred Firebird paid $25.85m in 2024, ending that redevelopment plan.
Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.
