Troxy

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 09/05/2017

TQ 3581 16/6014

Commercial Road No 490 Troxy

(Formerly listed as LONDON OPERA CENTRE (FORMER TROXY CINEMA) Commercial Road)

II Former cinema with cafe, later converted as a costume and scene painting studio. c1931-33 by George Coles for cinema entrepreneurs Phil and Sid Hyams and Major A J Gale.

Cream faience tiles giving chanelled effect; yellow stock brick return. Art Deco style. Central two-storey opening with enriched architrave and distyle in antis pillars, having stylised capitals, rising from first floor level to support an enriched frieze. Pillars flank vertical glazing with delicately patterned strips and geometrically patterned head panels. Projecting canopy at first floor level above entrances, two with original doors (glazing altered) and one now blocked. To either side of main ground floor opening, entrances now altered above which panels for posters, each surmounded by a pilaster with original flag poles rising above geometrically patterned frieze, dentil cornice and blocking course. Double height foyer altered to include an inserted floor to form workshops; originally with a first floor cafe and balcony. Golden onyx stair with central cast iron balustrade and multi-coloured marble floor remain. Auditorium with rich Art Deco plaster work to walls, ceiling and proscenium; side walls include large panels of delicate ornamental grillwork and original lights. Large, enriched three-tier ceiling fitting providing illumination and air conditioning outlets. Original balcony. Stage retains revolving circles. Lift for Wurlitzer organ survives. The Troxy closed in 1960 and re-opened 1963 as a training school for Convent Garden Opera.

Listing NGR: TQ3582681129