Embassy Theatre, Wellington
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2014) |
| The Embassy Theatre | |
|---|---|
 The Embassy in 2005 | |
 | |
| Former names | De Luxe Cinema |
| General information | |
| Type | Cinema |
| Location | 9-11 Kent Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 41°17′39″S 174°47′03″E / 41.294277°S 174.784066°E |
| Completed | 31 October 1924 |
| Owner | Wellington City Council |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Llewelyn Williams |
| Main contractor | A W. Williamson of Christchurch |
| Designated | 7-Dec-2001 |
| Reference no. | 7500 |
The Embassy Theatre is a movie theatre in Wellington, New Zealand, located at the Eastern end of Courtenay Place in the shadow of Mount Victoria.[1] Originally built in 1924,[2] the building has undergone a series of remodels and changes in ownership. It is currently owned by the Wellington City Council[3] and temporarily administered by the Embassy Theatre Trust.[4] Management rights were sold to SKYCITY Cinemas in October 2005[citation needed], and is now part of AHL owned Event Cinemas.[5] The theatre is recognised as a place of historical/cultural significance by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust[6] and is the only custom-built 1920's cinema still in use in New Zealand.[3]
Building history
Designed by Llewelyn Williams, the building opened on October, 31st, 1924, operated by De Luxe Theatres. In 1945, the original name of the theatre ("De Luxe") was changed to "The Embassy".[6] Originally seating 1,749, remodels done during the 1960s - including installation of a 70 mm screen, proscenium, and false ceilings reduced seating to 852.[7] Further remodels were undertaken in the early 2000s in advance of the world premiere screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The remodel was underwritten by a $4.5 million (NZD) grant provided by the Wellington City Council. Part of the condition of providing this funding was that ownership of the building be given to the Council. In addition to strengthening the building against the city's many earthquakes, renovations also included an update to the interior to bring it more in keeping with the original theatre design.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).[8]
Building features
Designed in the classical style, the interior of the Embassy Theatre includes a marble staircase with brass fittings, tiled walls and floors, and dark wooden fixtures.[7] Many of the furnishings reflect the overall style, which even carries into the design of the restrooms, which mirror the tiling with and dark wooden fixtures found elsewhere in the theatre. The theatre has three screens, the largest of which is thought to be one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.[9] Other amenities include a snack bar and Blondini's Cafe and Jazz Lounge, which provides a wide selection of food and drink options in addition hosting live jazz music.[10]
The Embassy Theatre in the news
The theatre was thrust into the international cinematic limelight when it hosted the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on December 1, 2003. Nearly 120,000 people lined the red carpet along Courtenay Place to watch the procession of actors and filmmakers as they made their way into the theatre for the screening.[3] Additionally, the theatre played host to the Australasian premieres of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers,[11] the world premiere of The Return of the King and more recently, a red carpet screening of Peter Jackson's King Kong[12] and the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.[13]
Other events
The Embassy Theatre also takes part in the New Zealand International Arts Festival as well as the New Zealand International Film Festival.
References
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ http://www.historic.org.nz/news/media_releases/2001_12_11.htm[dead link]
- ^ a b c [2] [dead link]
- ^ [3] [dead link]
- ^ [4] [dead link]
- ^ a b "Heritage New Zealand". Historic.org.nz. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Embassy Theatre". Cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ [5] [dead link]
- ^ "Wellington City - Local Travel Information and City Guide". Wn.com. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ "Blondini's Cafe & Jazz Lounge". Wellingtonnz.com. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ [6] [dead link]
- ^ [7] [dead link]
- ^ "100,000 expected at Hobbit premiere". 3 News (MediaWorks). Retrieved 30 November 2012.
External links
- Embassy Theatre's official website
- "Embassy Theatre". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 2009-12-21.