Former Rex Cinema, 10 Argyle Street

1936 with earlier interior fixtures and 1960s alterations to front elevation. Utilitarian gabled shed with 1960s brick façade housing almost complete 1936 cinema interior with most fixtures and fittings taken from RMS Homeric (formerly SS Columbus -see Notes).

EXTERIOR: 3 2-leaf glazed timber doors with octagonal glazing and octagonal glazed fanlights recessed to centre of brick façade; 3 steps to doors. Regular fenestration of mainly narrow upright windows to brick façade; concrete skews. Rendered to sides and rear with lean-to passage along SE elevation. Corrugated iron or asbestos roof with 3 cast-iron vents to ridge.

All doors and windows boarded up (2005).

INTERIOR: FOYER with mahogany paneling and compartmented ceiling with circular multi-bulb brass and glass light fittings. STAIRCASES to each side of foyer with reeded Art Deco Grecian-style balusters and newel posts; remains of marble tiles to stair treads. FUSE ROOM under S staircase with large mirror in ornately carved timber frame. 2 2-leaf polished octagonal-glazed doors from foyer to auditorium. Large AUDITORIUM with curved balcony (see Below); stage at E end with square architrave, original curtain and decorative balustrade in front; 3 fluted Corinthian columns over fire exits flanking stage; polished mahogany paneling to dado level; delicate decorative painted compartmental paneling above with gold-leaf highlights; curved compartmented ceiling in similar style with decorative cornicing; large electric chandelier to centre of ceiling; paired wall lights to side walls. BALCONY accessed from stair through octagonal-glazed mahogany doors with original seating for approximately 154 people on stepped tiers covered in Art Deco carpet from RMS Homeric. PROJECTION ROOM behind with 2 projectors and associated machinery.