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A proposed design for the interior of the Metro-Minerva converted to a Paris-style cabaret room. <\/span><\/p>\n For its next chapter, the heritage-listed site will become a 63-room hotel and a 250-seat auditorium, offering contemporary Parisian-style cabaret entertainment.<\/p>\n It was property developer Central Element\u2019s third attempt to progress its $69 million proposal for the former cinema, once the headquarters of the production company Kennedy Miller, creator of the Happy Feet<\/em>, Mad Max<\/em>, and Babe<\/em> films.<\/p>\n Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the proposal had been subject to a very rigorous and thorough planning process. While she conceded the hundreds of residents who had petitioned for its use as a theatre would be unhappy, the plans represented the best outcome for the site given the circumstances.<\/p>\n \u201cAn important building that has been empty will get a new life, an adaptive reuse,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Queen Victoria Building stood empty and a former Lord Mayor wanted to demolish it for a car park,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a classic example of what can happen when buildings remain empty and don\u2019t get a new life, and I have great confidence in the architects.\u201d<\/p>\n Business leaders spoke of the need to reverse the loss of 3700 hotel rooms in the Kings Cross precinct and bring an end to uncertainty.<\/p>\n City of Sydney Liberal councillor, Lyndon Gannon, said the decision was the final curtain call for Kings Cross.<\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t see Kings Cross as the thriving and dynamic precinct it once was, and importantly could have been, ever again now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Former Coalition arts minister, Don Harwin, spoke in favour of the Metro-Minerva Theatre\u2019s retention as a working theatre to address a shortage in venues of between 800 and 1000 seats.<\/p>\n Then and now: The Metro-Minerva Theatre.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>James Brickwood <\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cIn the last 50 years, central Sydney has lost over a dozen theatres. I want to get the Minerva Theatre off that list,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSydney has fewer theatre seats than comparable cities. Melbourne, Chicago and New York have 400\u2013500 seats per million residents. Sydney has only 300.\u201d<\/p>\n Under Harwin\u2019s watch, the building had been state heritage listed, and a feasibility study commissioned showing it could be viably reopened as a theatre. He warned if the proposal was to go ahead, the building would never again re-open as a theatre.<\/p>\n Central Element said final approval for The Minerva was a testament to its commitment to tirelessly pursue the \u201cmost advantageous solutions for its acquired site\u201d while \u201cenduring\u201d a three-year-long approval process.<\/p>\n \u201cCE has diligently invested substantial time and resources to reintegrate The Minerva into the rich tapestry of Potts Point, with plans to transform the heritage art deco building into a vibrant new hotel, entertainment, and dining destination.\u201d<\/p>\n Brandon Martignago, who was among more than 1700 people to petition against the redevelopment, renewed calls for the state government to intervene and purchase the building, one of only 12 art deco theatres surviving in Sydney.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Premier Chris Minns\u2019 and Planning Minister, Paul Scully\u2019s opportunity to be involved in Sydney\u2019s renaissance. There is only so much businesses can do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n