Theatre group offers lifeline for St James

The stunning St James Theatre in its heyday. Photo / Supplied

After being shut for three years, one of Auckland's most precious historic buildings could get a lifeline.

Queen St's ornate vintage St James Theatre is at the heart of bold plans by The Edge to win the right to build an international convention and exhibition centre for 5000 people.

As one of five contenders for that $200 million-$500 million job, The Edge put a bid into the Ministry of Economic Development to incorporate the St James into wider plans for civic buildings in the area and use the 1928 Historic Places Trust-ranked theatre instead of the Aotea Centre's main centre for theatre, opera and ballet.

The Edge bid described how the theatre was crucial to its bid.

"Integrated into our proposal for the development of a major convention centre on Aotea Square is the refurbishment of the much-loved St James Theatre.

"An architectural icon loved across the Auckland region, this Spanish Mission building, currently hidden behind a bland and poorly maintained facade, will add new architectural distinction to Queen St and provide a much-needed 1300-seat facility to complement the new convention and exhibition centre, the Civic and the Auckland Town Hall."

A spokesman for The Edge said the theatre could be done up in a renovation not unlike The Civic nearby.

"A refurbished St James would be a performing arts venue. The acoustics are great, it has an intimate feel despite having 1300 seats and the arts companies would be more likely to play to full houses.

"The ASB Theatre in the Aotea Centre would be incorporated into the new national conventions centre. That could still be available for large performing arts productions if required but this would no longer be its main role."

Paul Doole, the apartment developer and real estate investor who owns the St James, said he would consider selling.

"It has a government valuation of about $11 million. I would look at selling because I think having the building done up will enhance future development on the site. It's a win-win," said Mr Doole, whose Norfolk Trustees had planned a 39-level apartment tower on the site behind the theatre.

"They probably will end up buying it but I can't say they're made me an offer," Mr Doole said of discussions with city officials.

Bob Kerridge, executive director of SPCA Auckland and a life member of the Historic Places Trust, started a campaign last year to save the theatre, and the Facebook site has 2487 supporters.

The theatre has been mothballed since a fire in 2007 and there are fears it could deteriorate before plans can be prepared to restore it.

Mr Kerridge said it was in danger of "falling down through sheer neglect".

ALL THE DRAMA
* Built in 1928 to replace Fullers' Opera House.
* Ornate Spanish colonial-style interior.
* Statuettes, marble steps, elaborate lighting.
* Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh played there.
* Shut after fire in 2007; campaign launched to save it.