PROPOSED NEW THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17459, 1 May 1920, Page 6

PROPOSED NEW THEATRE.

QUEEN ST. SITE ACQUIRED. BUILDINGS TO COST £25,000. A new theatre is to be erected in Queen Street, negotiations having just been concluded by Messrs. J. and N. Tait, tbe well-known firm of theatrical and concert entrepreneurs, for a 50 years lease of the property owned by the Fountain of Friendship Lodge, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, situated just below Welleshy Street, and at present occupied by Messrs. Falkner, Wright, and Dalton, and tho Canton Silk Shop. The property runs right to Lome Street, and on that frotage the block is nearly 120 ft in width. The shape, of the land enables a wide and attractive entrance to be provided in Queen Street, and the theatre proper to be built parallel with Queen and Lome Streets. Mr. John H. Tait, who has been in Auckland for several days in connection with the transaction, stated yesterday that the conditions of the lease provide for thp expenditure of not less than £25,000 on the new buildings, but it is proposed, however, to build, in addition to the theatre, several shops on the Queen Street frontage, and several storeys of offices and professional rooms, and it is anticipated that, the total expenditure will considerably exceed £26,000. The theatre will have stage accommodation, but provision will be made for utilising it for all classes of entertainment. Mr. Tait mentioned that building operations will not be commenced for at least 12 months, on account of the existing leases.