In the bustling heart of Melbourne, an architectural gem has been hiding in plain sight for a century. The Capitol theatre, a masterpiece designed by visionary American architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin, is celebrating its 100th birthday this week. Despite its prominent location on one of the city’s busiest streets, this Chicago-Gothic cinema has remained curiously overlooked, its breathtaking interior concealed behind an unassuming facade.
A Pioneering Picture Palace
When the Capitol first opened its doors in 1924, it was a trailblazer among the grand “picture palaces” that emerged during the golden age of cinema. Commissioned by a group of enterprising businessmen, the theatre was designed to capitalize on the skyrocketing popularity of motion pictures. The Griffins, already renowned for their work on Canberra and the nearby Palais de Danse, created a groundbreaking multi-use space that combined a 2,500-seat auditorium with office facilities.
“The Capitol was one of the big three, alongside the Regent and the Forum,” reveals Marc Morrell, venues manager for RMIT University, the theatre’s current owner. “It launched with Cecil B. DeMille’s original Ten Commandments – the bad version,”
he adds with a chuckle.
Surviving the Wrecking Ball
The Capitol’s glory days as a Paramount-owned cinema lasted four decades before television’s rise sounded the death knell for single-screen picture palaces. Slated for demolition amid Melbourne’s 1960s architectural upheaval, the theatre narrowly escaped the wrecking ball thanks to the efforts of heritage advocates, including celebrated Australian architect Robin Boyd.
“It’s the best cinema that was ever built or ever likely to be built,”
Boyd famously declared.
Though spared destruction, the Capitol emerged from this tumultuous period with significant alterations that diminished its grandeur. A new mall beneath the auditorium, a reduced seating capacity, and a reconfigured entrance left the once-majestic theatre a shadow of its former self. For years, it struggled to find its footing, cycling through a mishmash of programming that failed to draw steady crowds.
RMIT to the Rescue
The Capitol’s fortunes began to change in 1999 when RMIT University purchased the building intending to utilize it as a teaching space for film and media students. However, not everyone within the institution initially grasped the significance of this acquisition. It took the arrival of a new vice-chancellor, Martin Bean, to catalyze a comprehensive five-year restoration project aimed at recapturing the theatre’s lost lustre.
“When the previous vice-chancellor walked into the Capitol, they asked, ‘Why the hell does RMIT own this?'” recounts Professor Martyn Hook. “But when Martin Bean took over, his response was the total reverse – ‘My God, we own this?!'”
Uncovering Hidden Wonders
The $24.5 million refurbishment, completed in 2019, has allowed the public to rediscover the Capitol’s singular charms and the genius of its designers. While Walter Burley Griffin often received the lion’s share of acclaim, Marion Mahony Griffin was an equally formidable talent who had honed her skills under Frank Lloyd Wright. The Capitol’s extant designs bear her signature, testifying to her pivotal role in shaping this architectural marvel.
From the painstakingly restored art deco foyers to the auditorium’s famed crystalline ceiling, illuminated by a dazzling array of LED bulbs, every inch of the revived Capitol pays tribute to the Griffins’ singular vision. Geometric carpets and Roman friezes collide in a beguiling amalgam of styles, conjuring the glamour and exoticism of a bygone era.
“Prior to the renovation, the foyer had bare concrete flooring and fluoro work lights,” Morrell shares. “It looked like an abandoned share house.”
A Theatre Reborn
As the Capitol celebrates its centenary, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of visionary design and the importance of preserving our architectural heritage. Though it may still be overshadowed by its more prominent neighbors, this hidden gem is finally ready for its long-overdue close-up.
“It may have taken 100 years, but the Capitol is ready for its close up, Mr DeMille,”
quips Morrell, echoing the immortal words of Sunset Boulevard’s Norma Desmond.
So the next time you find yourself hurrying down Swanston Street, pause for a moment to appreciate the unassuming entrance that conceals one of Melbourne’s most spectacular interiors. Step inside, and let the Capitol transport you to a world of wonder and enchantment – a fitting tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Griffins and the enduring magic of the silver screen.
