News & Discussion: General CBD Development

[Algernon]

Will the PN and GU cinemas be in direct competition with one another? I always remembered PN having a totally different offering - arthouse, foreign films etc. Did it stay that way in the last 10 years or dd they widen the offering to something more resembling the Dendy cinemas on the East coast? I wouldn't have thought GU would be targeting their audience in any meaingful way. If anything opening a mainstream cinema in the city would help PN, as it would restore the city centre's status as a film destination (rather than skipping out entirely to go to Marion/TTP etc.

Following on from other comments on this; Palace Nova Cinemas have shifted in the local market in recent years to reflect the offerings that both the Palace and Nova brands provide interstate, and also conveniently due to the fact that the city has had a long enough absence of competition to allow them to do so (with the closest alternatives being Piccadilly and Hoyts Norwood). That said, GU Film House is a new thing (from Event Cinemas) that to my knowledge is on trial in SA; a similar concept to PN, mixture of large and smaller screens to cater mainstream, art-house/foreign language, and live theatre offerings. That said, if you've been to the GU Film House in Glenelg it has a very Wallis Cinemas Mitcham vibe about it, so I guess they're probably just trying to bring themselves back down to a similar level of their competitors. As a side note, apparently Glenelg's cinemas have gone off to a quiet start largely due to the time of the year when they first opened. With the new Palace Nova Cinemas about to commence construction in Prospect, I'd say that Maras is finally starting to give the brand some of the love and attention that it needs.

Clears things up for me. So, GU Film House is actually a new boutique style brand operating under GU?

[bearhunta]

A bit more info on the GU Film House... It will be three levels; 12 standard cinemas, as well as two VMAX cinemas (14 in total). No wonder Palace Nova are expanding.

According to this, only 6 screens

https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/ ... #tab=about

[Ben]

A bit more info on the GU Film House... It will be three levels; 12 standard cinemas, as well as two VMAX cinemas (14 in total). No wonder Palace Nova are expanding.

According to this, only 6 screens

https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/ ... #tab=about

The pics and info are copied from the Glenelg page so I wouldn't take too much notice of that yet.

[Brucetiki]

A bit more info on the GU Film House... It will be three levels; 12 standard cinemas, as well as two VMAX cinemas (14 in total). No wonder Palace Nova are expanding.

According to this, only 6 screens

https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/ ... #tab=about

The pics and info are copied from the Glenelg page so I wouldn't take too much notice of that yet.

Though they've added VMax to the Adelaide description.

I reckon 6 will be the more realistic number for Adelaide. Can't see a) where they'll fit 12-14 cinemas in the current footprint and b) how 12-14 cinemas in that location will be viable.

[Patrick_27]

According to this, only 6 screens

https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/ ... #tab=about

The pics and info are copied from the Glenelg page so I wouldn't take too much notice of that yet.

Though they've added VMax to the Adelaide description.

I reckon 6 will be the more realistic number for Adelaide. Can't see a) where they'll fit 12-14 cinemas in the current footprint and b) how 12-14 cinemas in that location will be viable.

Considering the info I was provided was from a staff member of the new complex, I'm hesitant to back down on what I've already said.

Perhaps it might seem more realistic to have only six when compared to the more commercial cinemas, but if you've seen the size of four of the theatres at GU Film House at Glenelg, you'll understand how it would be possible to have 12-14 screens within the current footprint, especially over three levels. For example, six 50-80 seaters on the ground floor, six 100-300 seaters on the upper floors. You've also got to take into account that when the building was first built, big projection rooms were a thing; now it's all done from a box the size of a large microwave, which makes it easier to have more theatres because you don't need to have them all linked up to a central projection room (or any kind of projection room for that matter).

[phenom]

Not really sure where to post this but it seems Uni of Adelaide looking to embark on some serious building activity within the CBD over coming years - both on campus and nearby including one building that will certainly help add to the growing number of high-rise planned for the North Terrace/Frome Road area.

[monotonehell]

Not really sure where to post this but it seems Uni of Adelaide looking to embark on some serious building activity within the CBD over coming years - both on campus and nearby including one building that will certainly help add to the growing number of high-rise planned for the North Terrace/Frome Road area.

Didn't they just end a period of building activity that almost sent them to bankruptcy, and ended with a major budget hack&slash-fest?

[Llessur2002]

I also hear similar rumours. I believe a "20-year Campus Master Plan 2016-35 which will transform the amenity and visual appearance of all our campuses for the next generation" will be released in due course.

[phenom]

Didn't they just end a period of building activity that almost sent them to bankruptcy, and ended with a major budget hack&slash-fest?

That seemed to be the way it looked and they've certainly embarked on major reductions of professional staff and are currently looking at rationalising the faculties or something.

On the other hand I believe they just sold their land at Thebarton - no idea what they got but I'd say 4ha of prime near-city real estate would have been worth quite a bit.

However I suspect in a broader sense it's as much that the unis see building physical assets as a better bet than paying salaries to ensure their financial well-being

[Llessur2002]

and are currently looking at rationalising the faculties or something

That idea's just been dropped - didn't sit well with academic staff I believe.

Will keep an eye out for this plan - will share on here when it turns up, which will hopefully be within the next few days.

[crawf]

Hope something is done with the Napier Plaza, it's an eyesore.

I actually don't mind the Napier building itself these days. Though I had a very different opinion when I first joined this forum 10 years ago (feeling old).

[phenom]

Hope something is done with the Napier Plaza, it's an eyesore.

I actually don't mind the Napier building itself these days. Though I had a very different opinion when I first joined this forum 10 years ago (feeling old).

From what I heard some big changes are coming to Napier - the building and surrounds. However hopefully when Llessur2002 is able to get their hands on some documentation things will hopefully be a bit clearer.

I have to admit my experience back in the day was that the Napier building was just... very underwhelming. Not just looks wise but things like lift access, the ridiculous narrowness of the building, etc.

[Llessur2002]

I have to admit my experience back in the day was that the Napier building was just... very underwhelming. Not just looks wise but things like lift access, the ridiculous narrowness of the building, etc.

But views to die for

[[Shuz]]

I think youre confusing the Napier Building with the Schulz Building.

[SRW]

Napier, the law building (Ligertwood) and their forecourts are all beyond underwhelming and are downright disappointing sections of the campus and North Terrace generally. Long overdue an overhaul, particularly with regards to enlivening or beautifying the forecourt.