Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 hr ago
Gretel Packer plans restoration of Sydney’s Minerva Theatre
Gretel Packer plans to restore the heritage-listed Minerva Theatre in Sydney’s Kings Cross.
Her group bought the site last year for $26 million.
The theatre opened in 1939 and was once a major art deco venue, but it has also been used as offices and a supermarket, and has stood empty.
The project aims to restore its art deco and art moderne features, including its iconic tower.
Community consultations will involve residents, arts groups and others.
They will consider how to preserve the building while meeting modern safety, access and performance needs.
The refurbished theatre is expected to seat 700 or 800 people, fewer than its original capacity of 1,000.
Billionaire Gretel Packer has announced plans to restore Sydney’s heritage-listed Minerva Theatre in Kings Cross.
The project will explore how to restore the building’s art deco and art moderne heritage while meeting contemporary requirements.
Community consultations are planned with residents, arts groups and others.
The theatre is expected to hold 700 or 800 people after the revamp.
- Who
- Gretel Packer is the project’s major backer.
- What
- She plans to fund the restoration of the heritage-listed Minerva Theatre.
- When
- The plans were announced on Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The theatre is in Kings Cross, Sydney.
- Why
- The project aims to restore the theatre’s heritage and adapt it to contemporary safety, accessibility, performance and operational requirements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I am honoured to have a role in the revitalisation of a theatre that had played such “an intrinsic part of the artistic history of Potts Point, Kings Cross and Sydney at large”.
For too long she has been privatised as an office, or reduced to a supermarket, or empty, hoarded and not just a little bit sad
it would put the “diamond back in a tiara of 75 art deco apartment blocks
The Minerva Theatre opened.
Packer’s Sacred Firebird group bought the site for $26 million.
Packer announced detailed plans to revitalise the theatre and community consultations on the project.
- Site purchase
- $26 million
- Opening year
- 1939
- Expected capacity after revamp
- 700 or 800 people
- Community group size
- 16,000 members in the Potts Pointers Facebook group
Sources
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