New plan for historic building

Plans have been submitted to incorporate part of an historic Redcliffe building in a new water-front development application (DA).

In a 'minor' change to the original proposal, the facade of Redcliffe Picture Palace, which became the Pier Theatre, would now be part of an 82-unit apartment block.

An inspection of the 2500sq m site in January showed the theatre’s brick front – close to Bee Gees Way on Redcliffe Pde - “remains largely intact”.

The updated application is for an 11-story development, fronting Redcliffe Pde and Sutton St, with a shop, food and drink outlet and around 140 parking spaces.

Architect Dr Noel Robinson said, in a statement with the updated DA, the design “incorporates the historic landmark façade of the original cinema that once stood on this site”.

The application to Moreton Bay Regional Council by Peninsula Theatres, requests a “minor” design change and an extension of the existing approval.

A development application has been on the site for more than 10 years, with extensions granted by Council.

Redcliffe Picture Palace first opened as an open-air theatre in 1917, with a roof being added four years later in 1921.

Fire destroyed the building in 1943, but it was rebuilt to a slightly smaller design before closing around 1970.