Sydney-based property developer, Central Element has appointed TZG Architects with Tim Greer as the architectural lead. Central Element Director Wayne Chivas comments, “With The Minerva, we want to create something really special for the community.”

A Development Application (DA) with the City of Sydney for the heritage-listed Metro-Minerva building in Potts Point has been lodged.

Plans will see the vacant Metro-Minerva building, last occupied as an office building, lovingly restored into a multi-use venue, incorporating a boutique hotel delivered to international standards, and performance spaces, for which the building is renowned.

Central Element has appointed TZG Architects, with Tim Greer as the architectural lead. The practice brings over 30 years of experience in reimagining and bringing to life unique developments and will be pivotal in ensuring nothing is left to chance during the restoration.

The building was registered on the State Heritage Register in early December 2020 as a rare example of an Inter-war Functionalist style theatre. Its heritage significance was one of the key attractions to Central Element acquiring the site, with the company thriving on invigorating communities and revitalising heritage buildings to reach their former glory.

Central Element’s Director, Wayne Chivas comments; "Our current hotel project in Paddington is a prime example of this where we are restoring the dilapidated Olympia Theatre building on Oxford Street and reopening it to the public as a premium hotel, with vibrant dining and entertainment offerings.

“With The Minerva, we want to create something really special for the community – it’s an incredible building and we are in the really fortunate position to be able to open it up again.

“Like the broader community, we are pleased the building is now heritage-listed and we look forward to honouring and protecting the history of the building and its significant cultural heritage.”

The DA adopts a fresh, exciting, and respectful approach that will see the art deco features retained and conserved, including the original horsehair ceiling and proscenium arch. The interiors of the public spaces will incorporate interpretive experiences of the building and its history.  The restoration of the main auditorium will allow for a flexible arrangement of hospitality offerings, mixed with innovative and cultural experiences from live music and cabaret, to conferences and fringe performances.

In addition to the main auditorium, a café and other entertainment spaces are being provided, which will create a new chapter in the Metro-Minerva’s colourful history. Central Element will also be partnering with an upscale luxury international hotel, food and beverage and entertainment operator, to assist in attracting domestic and overseas visitors to the area.

Arup were commissioned by Central Element to assess the requirements and constraints of the building if it were to be refurbished as a functioning theatre with a 1,000 seat capacity.

The building constraints limited the seating capacity to under 700 seats once code and modern standard theatre design requirements were incorporated. In summary, findings found that having a solely dedicated theatre is not economically or technically viable.

With the total development investment over $50M, Central Element is dedicated to maximising the creative and performance use of the building in line with community demand for more live performance and cultural venues in Sydney. Once completed, the development will be a key contributor to the revitalisation of the night-time scene in Kings Cross and will be pivotal to the Sydney 24 Hour Economy Strategy.

The hotel alone will bring over 30,000 visitors to the area per year and an Economic Impact Assessment by Urbis concludes the new Minerva will bring an additional $2M+ in retail spending to the local area and its businesses each year, and deliver over 100 full time jobs once open.

The Minerva will be reopened for public usage on completion of the refurbishment, which is scheduled for 2024.

Iconic Metro-Minerva Potts Point to be given new lease of life

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