CITY OF ADELAIDE PRIZE
HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT COX ARCHITECTURE
The redevelopment of Her Majesty’s Theatre reinforces Adelaide’s reputation as an important cultural centre by establishing a second city theatre designed to attract top performers and accommodate the largest touring musicals. Through complex planning within strict site constraints, the redevelopment provides equal and inclusive access and extended functionality, reinvigorates Grote and Pitt Streets, and incorporates a new annexe for patron amenity together with a larger auditorium and fly tower. The project pairs the existing historic fabric with finely crafted contemporary work by South Australian artisans that pays homage to the theatre’s original 1913 configuration. The careful reinstatement of autographed blockwork backstage reveals and celebrates past performers. Interpretive signage and names of artists and other personalities associated with the theatre’s history record a rich story that is at the same time local, significant and personal. Her Majesty’s Theatre is brought back to life through this redevelopment, and is awarded the City of Adelaide Prize for enhancing the public experience, contributing to the cultural and economic growth of the city, providing tourism opportunities and reactivating this central city historic building and precinct. PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID SIEVERS
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