The Capitol Theatre building in Manuka is at the end of its commercial viability. Photo: Daniella Jukic, wearefound.
Fears that a hotel development planned for the nearly 40-year-old Capitol Theatre site in Manuka would see the demise of a cinema in the inner-south have been quashed with confirmation that it will include a modern six-screen complex.
The owners of the site, the Liangis family, is embroiled with the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna over a protected tree on the site that is stymieing the development, and will go to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal in a bid to have the mature London plane tree taken of the ACT Tree Register.
But John Liangis said when the staged development eventually gets the go-ahead, the new cinema complex would be incorporated into the hotel, be digitalised and have six screens as there is now but at a smaller scale, with seating from 80 to 120 seats in each space, much like the Palace Electric set-up in NewActon.
He said the current cinema was beyond its use-by date and had reached the end of its commercial viability.
The auditoriums, including one designed as a theatre holding 400-plus patrons, were far too big for a modern cinema complex.
The Manuka cinema is part of the Greater Union chain and the family is negotiating with it to continue operating the new complex.
The current Capitol Theatre building replaced the former structure of the same name that was demolished in 1980, and had a dual purpose as a theatre and a cinema.
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Build it, cut the tree down and plant 10 more. Move
https://www.change.org/p/act-government-green-light-manuka-redevelopment?recruiter=44389876&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_petition&recruited_by_id=21fc3db0-7191-0130-9298-38ac6f16d25f&utm_content=starter_fb_share_content_en-au%3Av2
For your information the red icon represents the location of the trunk. The coloured area is the area which construction and demolition are prohibited.
That tree is an allergy death trap. Do we really need it??? Can we not plant another 5 trees in the new design that are not so allergic?
How much time do you spend under that tree ? To get allergies...
Just walking past is enough to set off an attack. And I'm not alone
The fact that the Liangas family continues to run the cinema even though it financially doesn’t work in its current setup should be commended 👍
Aco Kovaceski - actually they don’t “run the cinema...”. Greater Union does.
Good on u geocon
Go to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and you will see buildings 1000 year old (and sometimes older) which are proudly promoted.
Meanwhile here in the ACT we sacrifice any structure that’s older than a fortnight to the altar of ‘progress’.
To be fair, the way most buildings are built on this side of the country these days, the buildings only last a fortnight!
How many trees for the toy train?
The building that pre-dated this one was nicer.
How many trees did they cut down for the new ACT gov building on London CRT
Do we really need another hotel? I know many hotels are worried about occupancy rates as it is let alone more competition coming along?
Kerry Crampton yes our hotels are at capacity...
Should never have pulled down the original building
Tasha Krahe too late...
Jp Romano I protested back then
Tasha Krahe obviously didn’t get very far...
Jp Romano no, there was a big stink but nobody cared. It was an amazing old building
Get rid of the tree, there are plenty of other trees for the elitist to hug, and get on with developing this great asset.
A little rich from someone who does not live here. Perhaps this advice sits well with residents in your city.
Noel Benjamin I probably spend more time in Manuka than a Nimby like you and anyway I'm sure you can find other trees to hug.
I live here and I say get rid of the tree. Hardly anyone knows where it is anyway. I am with you George. If the tree stays the whole block will run down.
George Lemon Really, doing what?
Noel Benjamin not that it is any of your business but I lived in Griffith for ten years, worked in the Parliamentary triangle, still have my PO Box at Manuka, socialise with friends at many Manuka cafes and restaurants and regularly attend the cinema there.
George Lemon Good on you. One of those meretricious people. I and my social peers place more store on a pedigree education, erudite conversation, travel, and shared values beyond greed and profit.
Noel Benjamin get rid of the tree, there are plenty of other trees for the elitist to hug, and get on with developing this great asset.
George Lemon must be those same air headed elitists you hung out with
Anthony Grice awe cup cake I'll find you another tree for you to hug.
George Lemon The only elitists these days are the unimaginative developers who seem to think they can do what they like for their own profit.
George Lemon you better stick to Qbn. It needs you more than we do. The Capitol Theatre is much more important to Canberrans than another bloody boxy, unimaginative cold hotel. We have plenty of those already. Our trees are also important, whether they’re looking old and craggy is unimportant, it’s their value to our environment is what’s important.
The Capitol and that tree have historical value on their side. What can a cold looking hotel do, except bring more cars and cold hearted politicians to our city.
Annie Wyer rubbish. I non significant tree and a hideous building not fit for purpose
Great news
Just update the cinema, leave the tree there! Enough greed.
Tony Morris that is a redevelopers opinion!!
Margaret Freemantle and agreed by most local residents and businesses.
Margaret Freemantle and also a residents opinion too!
Margaret Freemantle More trees will be on the block because of the development
I am so glad the cinema will stay, never went to the cinema as much in my life as the 3 year I lived 3 minutes walk to this old lady.
A new Cinema Complex ,great!! they need to get rid of the outdated cinemas that are there now ,toilets are disgusting ,if Work and Safety went there they would close the place down ,who cares about a bloody tree ,!!
Seems a lot of people have the same opinion as I have !!
Who's the builder?
That cinema is a mould-ridden cesspit anyway. Needs a complete refurbishment.