Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade
A heritage-listed Art Deco cinema complex and shopping arcade in Perth, Western Australia.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade is a heritage-listed cinema and retail complex at 700–704 Hay Street in central Perth, Western Australia. The property consists of the former Piccadilly Theatre, later known as the Piccadilly Cinema Centre, and an arcade linking Hay Street with Murray Street. Although its original function was primarily cinematic entertainment, the complex has also accommodated shops, temporary event uses and other adaptive-reuse activities over its history. The development was commissioned by mining entrepreneur Claude Albo de Bernales through the Australian Machinery and Investment Company Ltd and Piccadilly Arcade Pty Ltd. The site was acquired in 1935, after which architects Alfred Baxter Cox and William T. Leighton prepared plans for a combined theatre and shopping arcade. Local contractor General Construction Company carried out the work, incorporating portions of existing buildings into the new development. The arcade opened in February 1938, followed by the theatre on 10 March 1938. The theatre originally seated approximately 1,100 people and was promoted as a modern entertainment venue. It was the first cinema in Western Australia to be air conditioned. The building is an important example of inter-war cinema architecture in Perth. Its design reflects Functionalist and Art Deco influences, while decorative elements include bas-relief friezes depicting dancing figures and Atlas-like figures modelled by Perth sculptor Edward Kohler. The complex represented the expansion of mass entertainment in Western Australia during the later Depression and inter-war years, when cinemas became prominent social and architectural landmarks. Piccadilly remained in the hands of Piccadilly Arcade Pty Ltd until 1978, after which ownership changed several times. A major restoration and refurbishment was undertaken from 1983 to 1984 under architect Ian Tucker. The A$2 million project restored and modernised the complex and received the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Western Australian chapter award for renovated buildings in 1986. Following the refurbishment, the property was reportedly acquired by Alister Norwood, founder of Jeanswest. In 1992 it was purchased by Winston Holdings Pty Ltd, Su-Rama Holdings Pty Ltd and Ayoman Pty Ltd, which remain identified as the owners in the principal reference material. The cinema operation also changed substantially. After Hoyts sold the cinema in 1989, operator Malcolm Leech subdivided the former auditorium, first creating a second screen and later a third. This produced a smaller multiplex configuration with reported capacities of 443, 165 and 103 seats. Dennis McKenna later leased the cinema, and Cyril Watson took over the operation in 2005. A severe storm damaged the building in March 2010, requiring repairs before reopening. In 2013, part of the cinema roof collapsed amid reported maintenance problems. The cinema closed after the September 2013 school holidays, with reports that the operator owed substantial unpaid rent. The former cinema space was subsequently used intermittently, including as the Noodle Palace venue during the Fringe World Festival in 2014, as a retail area and as a kickboxing studio. In 2018, a major adaptive-reuse redevelopment was confirmed. The plans included converting the cinema into a live-performance venue with a lounge and bar, while upgrading the arcade with new lighting, flooring and shopfronts. The City of Perth approved a heritage adaptive-reuse grant of A$665,575 to be distributed over five years. After a three-year refurbishment and renovation, the arcade reopened in November 2021. The complex has been recognised for its architectural and cultural importance through National Trust classification, inclusion on the City of Perth Municipal Inventory and permanent entry on the State Register of Heritage Places. It is also associated with a local haunting story concerning the alleged ghost of a former manager.
History
Piccadilly Theatre and Arcade was developed during Perth's inter-war expansion of cinema and commercial architecture. Claude Albo de Bernales's Australian Machinery and Investment Company Ltd acquired the site in 1935. Through Piccadilly Arcade Pty Ltd, he commissioned a combined theatre and arcade designed by Alfred Baxter Cox and William T. Leighton. The development used some existing structures and was built by General Construction Company. The arcade opened in February 1938, with the theatre following on 10 March. The theatre seated around 1,100 patrons and incorporated contemporary amenities, including air conditioning, which made it the first cinema in Western Australia known to have that feature. The building's architecture combines inter-war Functionalism with Art Deco decoration. Edward Kohler produced bas-relief work showing dancing girls and Atlas-like figures, contributing to the complex's distinctive streetscape. The arcade connected Hay Street and Murray Street, combining retail circulation with access to the cinema. Its construction reflected the role of cinemas as major public gathering places at the end of the Depression. Piccadilly Arcade Pty Ltd retained ownership until 1978. The property then passed through several ownership arrangements. In 1983, Australian Fixed Trust, represented by Permanent Trustee Nominees of Canberra, initiated a major restoration. Architect Ian Tucker oversaw the work, which was completed in 1984. The A$2 million refurbishment was recognised by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Western Australian chapter in 1986. The property was subsequently reportedly acquired by Alister Norwood, a founder of Jeanswest. In 1992, ownership passed to Winston Holdings Pty Ltd, Su-Rama Holdings Pty Ltd and Ayoman Pty Ltd as tenants in common. The cinema changed from a single large auditorium to a smaller multi-screen operation. Hoyts sold the cinema in 1989, after which it briefly closed in early 1990. Lessee Malcolm Leech converted part of the former stalls into an additional auditorium and later added a third screen. The resulting triplex had reported capacities of 443, 165 and 103 seats. Dennis McKenna assumed the lease in 2001, and Cyril Watson took over cinema operations in 2005 after McKenna's departure amid reported unpaid debts. The building suffered storm damage on 23 March 2010 and reopened on 1 April after repairs. In May 2013, part of the cinema roof collapsed, with poor maintenance cited in reports. Watson announced that the cinema would close after the September school holidays; reports also stated that the operation had accumulated approximately A$400,000 in unpaid rent. The cinema space later hosted the Noodle Palace venue during the 2014 Fringe World Festival, including the last reported paid film presentation, and was subsequently used for retail and martial-arts activities. Heritage recognition developed alongside these changes. The complex was classified by the National Trust of Australia (Western Australia) and placed on the interim Register of the National Estate on 5 December 1988. It entered the City of Perth Municipal Inventory on 13 March 2001 and was permanently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places on 20 December 2002. In 2018, a substantial adaptive-reuse project was confirmed. The former cinema was intended to become a live-performance venue with hospitality facilities, while the arcade was to receive new lighting, flooring and shopfronts. The City of Perth approved a heritage adaptive-reuse grant of A$665,575, payable over five years. Following approximately three years of refurbishment and renovation, the arcade reopened in November 2021. The property therefore remains significant not simply as a former cinema, but as a surviving heritage complex capable of supporting retail, hospitality, performance and community uses.
- 2021
Arcade reopens after adaptive renovation
[1]The arcade reopened in November after a three-year refurbishment and renovation.
- 2013
Cinema closes
[1]The Piccadilly Cinema ceased regular operations after roof damage, reported maintenance problems and financial difficulties.
- 2002
State heritage registration
[1]The buildings were permanently entered on the State Register of Heritage Places.
- 2001
Added to City of Perth Municipal Inventory
[1]The complex was included in the City of Perth Municipal Inventory.
- 1992
Current ownership arrangement established
[1]Winston Holdings Pty Ltd, Su-Rama Holdings Pty Ltd and Ayoman Pty Ltd acquired the property as tenants in common.
- 1988
National Trust classification
[1]The complex was classified by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and interim listed on the Register of the National Estate.
- 1986
Refurbishment receives architectural award
[1]The refurbishment won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Western Australian award for renovated buildings.
- 1984
Restoration completed
[1]A major restoration and modernisation programme was completed under architect Ian Tucker.
- 1938
Arcade and theatre open
[1]The arcade opened in February and the theatre opened on 10 March with approximately 1,100 seats.
- 1935
Site acquired for development
[1]Claude de Bernales's Australian Machinery and Investment Company Ltd acquired the site between Hay and Murray Streets.
Products and positioning
A heritage Perth entertainment and retail landmark whose identity has evolved from a modern 1930s cinema and arcade into an adaptive-reuse cultural and commercial complex.
Cinema and performance venue · 1938
Piccadilly Theatre
The original 1938 theatre was a large single-screen cinema with seating for about 1,100 people. It later became a smaller multi-screen cinema and was subsequently targeted for conversion into a live-performance venue as part of the complex's adaptive-reuse redevelopment.
Cinema · 1938
Piccadilly Cinema Centre
The cinema operation used the former theatre building and was subdivided into multiple screens during the 1990s. It was described as the last operating cinema in Perth's central business district before closing in 2013.
Shopping arcade · 1938
Piccadilly Arcade
The retail arcade links Hay Street and Murray Street and forms the commercial component of the heritage complex. Its later renovation introduced updated lighting, flooring and shopfront treatments while retaining the site's heritage character.
Brand decisions
2018
Pursue heritage adaptive reuseStrategyBackground
Following the cinema's 2013 closure, the owners and stakeholders sought a viable new use for the historic building.
Action taken
Plans were confirmed to convert the former cinema into a live-performance venue with a lounge and bar and to upgrade the arcade's lighting, flooring and shopfronts.
Aftermath
The arcade reopened in November 2021 after a three-year refurbishment and renovation. The City of Perth approved a heritage adaptive-reuse grant of A$665,575 over five years.
Heritage adaptive-reuse grant. A$665,575 (Approved in 2018; payable over five years)
1990
Convert the cinema to a multi-screen formatGeneration changeBackground
After the cinema changed operators, part of the former large auditorium was no longer required in its original configuration.
Action taken
Malcolm Leech created a second cinema in the disused stalls and later added a third screen.
Aftermath
The venue operated as a triplex with reported capacities of 443, 165 and 103 seats.
1983
Undertake major restoration and refurbishmentStrategyBackground
The owners chose to restore and modernise the ageing theatre and arcade rather than allow the complex to decline.
Action taken
The complex closed while architect Ian Tucker led a substantial refurbishment programme, completed in 1984.
Aftermath
The work cost approximately A$2 million and received a Western Australian architectural award in 1986.
Refurbishment cost. A$2 million (1983–1984)
Sources1 sources
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