Page 12 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

47. Hoyts Windsor Theatre by Rod How

Having recently celebrated its opening sixty years earlier, Hoyts Windsor Theatre was built to replace the
Royal Pictures which was nearby at 30 Chapel Street. It was build by T.R. and L. Cochram Pty. Ltd. and opened
on Friday, the 17th of April, 1936. The site the theatre occupied was largely triangular and was located at 1
Peel Street beside Windsor railway station. Architects H. Vivian Taylor & Soileux managed to fit a modern two
level theatre on the site with a capacity of 1395, compared to the Royal's 1760.

The Windsor Theatre c. 1938

The Windsor accommodated 820 in the stalls, 275 in the circle and 286 in the lounge. Fourteen extra seats
were in the crying room. At the ground level there was a circular entry foyer, the external half of which
consisted of doors. This foyer connected with a large vestibule at the same llevel from which stairs led to a long
curved upper foyer which served the lounge and dress circle. The foyers were furnished with the settees and
club chairs that the opening program described as being of severe design.

Reprinted from "Cinemas of Australia Via USA"
Author: Ross Thome

Ground Floor Plan

..

\ '\
'I
;4
..