Arts

Thebarton Theatre to undergo massive $8 million upgrade

Adelaide’s iconic Thebarton Theatre will undergo a stunning $8m transformation, documents submitted to Planning SA have revealed.

Image Credits: City of West Torrens

Adelaide’s iconic Thebarton Theatre will undergo a stunning $8m transformation, documents submitted to Planning SA have revealed.

The plans, lodged by Masterplan, JPE Design Studio and West Torrens Council, revealed a brand new two storey lobby on the eastern side. This will include improved accessibility, new bathrooms, stairs, and a lift to the upper level of the theatre.

The eastern car park will also be transformed into an outdoor plaza space with upgraded paving, landscaping, lighting, seating and shade.

Other improvements will include a new loading dock, internal refurbishment, new joinery works to the bar and lounge areas, external painting and signage replacement, and carpark works.

The development will revitalise the existing historic and iconic Thebarton Theatre, and improve functionality and amenity to the operation of the theatre complex.

With the Theatre’s 100th birthday approaching in 2028, the Council secured State Government funding towards upgrade of the Theatre and associated facilities, described together as the Thebarton Theatre Complex. 

The architects said “The site’s past modifications and ad-hoc renovations, gradual re- purposing of spaces for alternative uses as well as the sheer quantity of unmanaged stored items throughout the complex have compromised the presentation and functionality of the state-listed buildings, and in particular the Thebarton Theatre’s front and back-of-house areas.”

The Thebarton Theatre Complex site has maintained a strong community presence for almost 100 years, since its opening as the Thebarton Town Hall in 1927.

It is expected that Thebarton Theatre will be closed from mid-2023 until completion of the Stage 1 redevelopment.

More News

To Top