Empire Buildings

The buildings were constructed in 1912,^[1] and once comprised a group of shops and a cinema. The buildings have elements of Federation Free Style architectural design such as asymmetry and use of two contrasting building materials of brick and cement render.^[2]

Replacing a single storied bungalow structure that faced York Street,^[1] the Empire theatre was designed by architect Tom Anthoness and was built by J. Ashman and Warner.^[3] Initially the building held a theatre and shops. The theatre was able to hold 1,000 people.^[1] The theatre cost £5,000 and was owned and operated by West's Picture Company. It boasted refreshment stalls, a winter garden for ladies and a spacious dress circle.^[4]

Features of the two storey building include a corner entrance, asymmetrical facade, parapet wall concealing roof, informal groupings of windows, gabled pediment and decorative skyline features.^[1]

In 2000 a portion of the building was converted to a nightclub.^[2] It was closed for some time and reopened to include a bar on the ground floor in 2006.^[5]

• List of places on the State Register of Heritage Places in the City of Albany