St James Theatre set to rise again

The historic St James may make a comeback. Photo / Ollie Dale

Auckland's mothballed St James Theatre could be in for a rejuvenation, with the category 1-listed historic Queen St building believed to have been sold to a developer.

The deal is believed to involve restrengthening work and would also allow the buyer to build a 39-level apartment tower and retail complex next door.

The historic venue, which has been seven years in mothballs, is on a separate title from the development site, which is the Queen St frontage of the former Odeon and Westend cinemas. Owner Paul Doole had resource consent for the development but put it on hold in April 2009.

The old St James Theatre building. Photo / Brett Phibbs

When contacted by the Herald yesterday, Mr Doole refused to discuss rumours the St James had been sold.

Last night, a council spokesman said: "The council is involved in ongoing negotiations to secure the future of the St James Theatre and it is a priority for Auckland Council."

In April, Mr Doole said he had offered to sell the building to the council for its rateable value of $11 million.

He said the St James, which is an oblong shape mainly facing the public library in Lorne St, could not be built on or over. The consent called for the St James tower to be restored, strengthening of a wall adjoining the theatre and provision for a four-to-five-metre-wide entrance to Queen St.

In 2010, the cost to the developer of reinforcing the outside walls of the theatre was put at $5 million.

The old St James Theatre building. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Herald understands the new owner has agreed to do the strengthening work.

Two years ago, the executive director of the Auckland SPCA, Bob Kerridge, formed the St James Charitable Trust so money could be raised from public and private sources towards the restoration, which in 2010 was estimated to cost $50 million.

St James Theatre

1928, July 5: Opens with a performance of Archie.
1929, December 26: Screens its first film, The Gold Diggers of Broadway.
1987: Kerridge-Odeon sells to Pacer Kerridge Corporation.
1988: Historic Places Trust puts category 1 listing on theatre's interior.
2002: Developer Paul Doole buys St James complex.
2007, May 12: Electrical fire in Westend Theatre closes whole complex.
2009: St James Theatre restoration estimated to cost $50 million.

Read more about the concert history of the St James.