By ANNA USHER

One of Sydney’s historic independent cinemas is on the market for the first time in more than half a century.

Roseville Cinemas – along with its adjacent retail and residential offering – are being sold by a court-appointed trustee, on a 1077sqm site fronting the Pacific Highway opposite the suburb’s train station.

The Art Deco building is a North Shore landmark and one of Australia’s oldest, continuously operating movie theatres.

Knight Frank agent Mark Litwin said the property’s rich history and strategic location made it one of the most unique investment opportunities to come to market in the city this year.

“This is an exceptionally rare offering that combines heritage significance, development potential and a level of local recognition that very few commercial assets can replicate,” he said.

Recent rezoning in the area means the location is now considered E1, meaning a development up to 29m high is possible.

Co-agent James Sutton said the trophy site offers 27m street frontage to the Pacific Highway and sits directly opposite Roseville train station.

“From a local perspective, Roseville Cinema is far more than simply a prominent
piece of real estate. It is a landmark that has been part of the fabric of the suburb for generations,” he said.

“Roseville is going through a significant period of change, particularly around planning, housing density and the broader evolution of the village precinct.

“There is a great deal of history tied to the cinema and considerable affection for the building locally. Whatever its next chapter looks like, there will undoubtedly be significant interest in seeing one of Roseville’s most recognisable properties pass into new ownership.”

A town hall, war recruitment – and then the pictures

Roseville Cinema was originally constructed in 1912 as Roseville Hall, a community gathering place used for concerts, dances, meetings, and local events in the early
1900s.

Permanent film screenings commenced around 1918-1919, when the venue became known as Traynor’s Picture Palace and later the Roseville Theatre.

When World War One broke out the hall was the first Australian Centre used to recruit Australian soldiers.

In 1936, the building was renovated into the beautiful Art Deco style with a seating capacity of over 500 people.

In 1974, Hans van Pinxteren bought the Roseville Cinema and the Van Pinxteren family have operated it ever since. In 1995 it was extensively refurbished to a twin cinema.

More recently in 2011 the ageing film projectors were replaced with state-of-the-art
digital technology.

Since the art deco renovation, it has remained a one of the north shore’s most recognizable buildings.

No guide is being offered on the sale, with the agents telling Mosman Collective they will rely on market feedback. Expressions of interest close on October 8.