Cinema style

Regent Theatre in Cathedral Square Christchurch

Local architect J. S. Guthrie retained the shell and completely redesigned the interior focusing on luxury.

The Regent Theatre in Cathedral Square Christchurch started life as the Royal Exchange Building in 1905 reflecting the Royal Exchange Assurance Company's tenancy. Designed by the Luttrell brothers, Alfred and Sidney, fresh to New Zealand, the design incorporated elements of Britain and America using a fashionable Edwardian Baroque style dressed with decorative elements influenced by American architecture. Commercial tenants, office, retail and two warehouses filled the original building with a café provided on the second level accessible by two of the first electric lifts in New Zealand.

After 25 years in service, local architect J. S. Guthrie retained the shell and completely redesigned the interior focusing on luxury reinforced by the generous use of mirrors, gilt and marble and the largest screen in Australasia fed by the latest in movie projection. A 1979 fire destroyed his work and the theatre reopened in 1981 as a twin cinema complex on the inside while retaining its unique exterior façade.

The building exterior was coated in a combination of chlorinated rubber and acrylic. Sample patches of the recommended paint system were applied to the existing system to confirm compatibility and adhesion, as stripping back to bare substrate was considered impractical. Based on the test results, Resene X-200 weathertight membrane was confirmed as the appropriate finish teamed with Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel on timber joinery and trims and Resene Super Gloss on steel sash window joinery.

Prone to everything Mother Nature could throw at it for over a century, the exterior required extensive remedial work including replastering and fibreglass waterproofing to parapets and ledges before the Resene X-200 system could be applied. The exterior palette focuses on light neutrals in a range of hues to work with the building design and highlight its architectural features. Wall areas are finished in Resene Sisal (light beige), changing to Resene Triple Sisal (greened ochre) on lower walls, upper textured walls and bay window bases. This tonal palette is punctuated by Resene Half Spanish White (complex neutral) on pilasters, capitals, balustrades, parapets and other architectural features and Resene Nero (inky blue black) on window sashes.

The proposed colour palette was electronically presented using the Resene RenderRite service enabling the client to confirm the proposed palette with confidence.

An important part of the Cathedral streetscape, this special building is now well protected in its new coats.

Client and Property Manager: Phillip Carter, Carter Group.
Colour Selection: Bridget Sullivan, room INTERIORS
Painting Contractor: Programme Maintenance Services
Resene: Christchurch sales team, Lauren Hamill, RenderRite Consultant
From the Resene News – issue 1/2008

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