Is the Chelsea Cinema Being Demolished??

[baytram366]

I heard that the old Chelsea Cinema is the next to be closed by Wallis. Does anyone know anything more about this?
I thought they just said they were going to spend millions on it to upgrade it? First Glenelg Cinema, now another fine old cinema....

[SRW]

So far as I've read in the local press, all that's been decided is that the Burnside Council is to sell it. Whether Wallis decides to purchase it or not is another matter, though they have previously announced their intention to turn it into a 3-screen cinema.

It'll be a shame if it does close, especially just after Glenelg shut down -- these art deco cinemas are a treasure. I don't think it'll be demolished, however, as I'm fairly sure it's heritage listed.

[Wayno]

i wonder how much it will sell for? imagine refurbing the inside as your house! keep the big screen of course!

[baytram366]

Doesn't Wallis own the cinema? Why is the council in charge of selling it? I would have thought Wallis would own all of their own cinemas...

[AtD]

The Council own it, Wallis lease it.

[Aidan]

So far as I've read in the local press, all that's been decided is that the Burnside Council is to sell it. Whether Wallis decides to purchase it or not is another matter, though they have previously announced their intention to turn it into a 3-screen cinema.

It'll be a shame if it does close, especially just after Glenelg shut down -- these art deco cinemas are a treasure. I don't think it'll be demolished, however, as I'm fairly sure it's heritage listed.

I got the impression that it was seen as a choice between Wallis purchasing and expanding it or the council shutting it down. But why? Is there any reason why it can't remain a cinema but be run by someone else?

[stumpjumper]

Wallis say that now they have parking rights in the renovated shopping centre across the road they can enlarge the cinema to 3 screens (by building 2 x 200 seat Nova type cinemas on the vacant block next to the Chelsea) without affecting the heritage listed 580 seat original theatre, but noly if they leased the site on a lnog lease. They say they could not afford to buy the site and do the renovations and make a profit.

The complex as is is insured for about $5 million, which should be a guide to sale value.

My suggestion would be for 3 councils - Burnside, Kens/Nor/St Peters, Campbelltown to get together own the cinema between them, lease it to Wallis but retain rights to a few nights and other times per year for their own purposes.

[Port Adelaide Fan]

Chelsea cinema tenants told to get out by December 31

CHELSEA Cinema operator Wallis will be evicted from the controversial Burnside Council property when its lease expires on December 31.

Chelsea Cinema manager Bob Parr told The Advertiser one of its tenants was informed of the Burnside Council's decision about 11.30am.

"We are absolutely devastated," he said.

Burnside mayor David Parkin said a decision to terminate Wallis's lease, pending negotiations for a new lease, was made six months ago and that Wallis was advised at the time.

Mr Parkin said the council was 90 per cent of the way to confirming a new operator, but would not confirm which applicants were still in the running.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6221785178

[crawf]

Hopefully Palace Nova are successful and do expand the complex, that would be the best outcome for the Chelsea.

A new paint job wouldn't hurt either

[baytram366]

All I can say is - Sucked In To Wallis. Karma for smashing down Glenelg cinema.
Would be awesome if Palace Nova took it over (poet and I didn't know it)

[Adeguy72]

Based on what I have read:

Ownership of the Chelsea cinema & the vacant block of land next door is to be retained by the Burnside council & leased to a new tenant. Wallis have been told their proposal for a new lease is not going to be approved & they need to vacate by December 31.

This leaves 4 parties remaining in consideration for a new lease - including the owner of the Trak cinema & operators of the Palace / Nova cinemas.

All 4 parties are going to redevelop the vacant land into new cinemas & retain and update the existing cinema (which is heritage listed).

I know Wallis currently pay rent of $42,000 per annum & some of the parties are proposing a peppercorn lease amount (usually a very small payment as low as $1 per year, a nominal consideration, used to satisfy the requirements for the creation of a legal contract) together with a long term lease (eg 25 years minimum) otherwise the development won't be viable.

Current value of the cinema & adjacent land is around $5 million.

Originally the cinema was to be sold by the council, but this decison was reversed.

A decision on the new operator will be made soon.

[baytram366]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/chel ... 6227956925

Great news for all here - Trak Cinema now appointed the new operator

[Adeguy72]

Here it is.
Burnside Council has finally announced the details of the new lease.
Weird that they chose to do so late on Christmas eve.
Almost suggests they wanted no one to notice. No Advertiser tomorrow so presumably it won't make the press.
I wonder if Wallis couldn't make teh cinema profitable what hope does the owners of the Trak have?

Chelsea Cinema Lessee Announced
After a thorough expression of interest process, the Burnside Council is delighted to now announce that Republic Theatres Classic will be the new tenant of the Chelsea Cinema.
Republic Theatres Classic, who also operate the Trak Cinema, have finalised the agreement with Council this afternoon, to lease the Chelsea Cinema site commencing 1 January 2012.
City of Burnside Mayor David Parkin said the Council is pleased to be partnering with Republic Theatres Classic which is a well respected local company that has been in operation for many
years.
“The shared visions of Republic Theatres Classic and the Burnside Council will ensure the cinema is a successful community-based entertainment precinct, while retaining its social and heritage
significance. Republic Theatres Classic vision for the 1925 heritage-listed art deco cinema, matched with their determination to provide the community with a wide range of entertainment choices will place the precinct in a unique position in the market, while meeting the objectives of Council and the community.”
There is also a commitment to continue providing the venue for community groups to assist with fundraising.
Mayor Parkin said the extensive process undertaken by Council to secure a long-term lessee will ensure viability of this much loved community asset.
“Council attended to this process very carefully and assiduously, ensuring that the outcome that we now have is best for that of the cinema and its community.”
“Five expressions of interest were received, all of which were of a high calibre and addressed the varying requirements criteria. The comprehensive selection process guaranteed that any
partnership entered into by the Council and lessee delivers the best result for the future of the cinema.”
We look forward to a mutually rewarding partnership with Republic Theatres Classic.
Council’s $85,000 investment for upgrades to the façade and other areas, in association with Republic Theatres Classic, will commence in 2012 and represents a significant first step in the
revitalisation of the cinema.
For all media enquiries please contact David Parkin, Mayor, City of Burnside on 0401 483 481.