Embedded Files
The Empire was established in 1924 when Mr Stanley Chisholm constructed the Theatre, a hairdresser, an ice cream store, and a billiard hall.
Daily showings were advertised in the newspaper.
Now, the Empire is still often filled by many children stopping in after school for a chocolate ice cream. Although there has been a drop in people watching movies in cinemas, the Empire still keeps all three theatres running.
Image (Left) via Google maps Streetview, 2009
Empire's Grand Opening
Empire's Grand Opening
Tom Mix and Marian Nixon in The Last of the Duanes (1924)
The Empire's first screening on 21 March 1925 was of 'The Last of the Duanes' starring Tom Mix and Marion Nixon, directed by Lynn Reynolds. Because the film did not have sound, effects were played live on a piano.
Tickets were 1s 6d or about $8.85 in 2025. To reserve a seat it cost an extra sixpence.
Empire's first 'Talkie' film
Empire's first 'Talkie' film
Nancy Carroll, Harry Green, and Jobyna Howland in Honey (1930)
The Empire's first 'Talkie' screened on 14 June 1930 was of 'Honey' a Broadway musical, starring Nancy Carroll and Stanley Smith. 'Talkie' meant it had recorded sound, no live piano was played.
That night the Evening Post wrote "A very successful opening took place this afternoon at the Empire Theatre, Island Bay's new 'Talkie" House.'
- Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 138, 14 June 1930, Page 7
Island Bay Hardware
Island Bay Hardware
In 1980 was acquired by Wellington Decorators and Furnishings. 'Island Bay Hardware' traded here until 2004.
Cinema again
Cinema again
In 2004 the Werry and Hays families fully renovated the site back into 3 cinemas with a café, reopening on 1 September 2005 with Charlie and the chocolate factory.
Cinema
Cinema
It then was sold in 2013 to Pat Vinaccia who renovated and restyled the cinema into what it is today. (Image above)
Image Carousel
Image Carousel
In the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards, ArcHaus Architects won the International category for their restoration of the Empire Cinema and Eatery in Wellington. They were also commended in the Commercial Exterior category. The judges praised the project for its impressive before and after transformation and its effective use of color to revitalize the building, creating an iconic, Baz Luhrmann-esque vibe.
The judges described the project as “one of the most impressive before and after restorations” and “a great example of an inspiring conservation project that has been transformed using colour dedication”.
Brunch Menu for Empire Cinema & Eatery, 2024
Pizza Menu for Empire Cinema & Eatery, 2024
Empire Theatre
Empire Theatre
Ifor Owen
Ifor Owen
First published in Ngā Ākau ki te Tonga Southern Bays number 2 2006
First published in Ngā Ākau ki te Tonga Southern Bays number 2 2006
The corner section on The Parade and Mersey Street was purchased in 1902 by Mr Stanley Chisholm but was not developed until 1924 when he commissioned the construction of a theatre, shops and billiard hall.
The theatre was a two-storied building with a shop on either side of the entrance leading into the foyer containing the booking office and stairs leading up to the balcony. The billiard hall was on the West side of the building, single storied with a separate entrance in Mersey Street. When completed the building was sold to the Empire Theatre Company whose manager was a well-known Wellington personality, Mr Tatakover.
Cinema Theatre 1925–1964
Cinema Theatre 1925–1964
The first film screening was on 21 March 1925 showing the silent production of The Last of the Duanes starring Tom Mix and Marion Nixon and directed by Lynn Reynolds.
There were no ‘shorts’, cartoons or newsreels available at that period, so additional live stage entertainment was provided. On opening night Arline Power and Leo Coffey gave a display of ballroom and fancy dancing.
In 1928 the billiard room was closed and the roofline extended to incorporate the room into the auditorium and increase the seating capacity.
The first ‘talkie’ shown on 14 June 1930 was Honey, a Broadway musical adapted to film, directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Nancy Carroll and Stanley Smith.
Structural damage to the building occurred during the March 1943 earthquake and the cinema closed until October 1943 when it reopened as the New Empire.
The Empire Theatre auditorium, Island Bay, after removal of the billiard hall.Alexander Turnbull Library F15941-1/1
As television and videos became readily available cinema attendances fell. There were 550 cinemas in New Zealand in 1944 but by 1972 there were only 250. The Empire closed its doors as a cinema on 1 July 1964. The last film shown was Foxhole in Cairo starring James Robertson Justice and Niall McGinnis.
The two shops at the front had been occupied by a cinema shop selling ice cream etc and the other was a hairdresser’s salon. These shops remained open for a while after the cinema closed.
Storage and shops 1964–2004
Storage and shops 1964–2004
Late in 1964 Bata Shoe Co. received Council approval to use the auditorium as a store and was allowed to make a loading dock on the Mersey Street side. It continued as their store until 1970. The hairdresser’s salon remained in business until 1975.
There were many changes in ownership over the next few years and various proposals for the use of the building. The west wall was an ongoing safety problem and this was eventually resolved by reducing the length of the building and erecting a new wall.
One proposal in 1974 was to use the theatre as ‘a place of Public Entertainment’ with billiard and snooker tournaments, which could be televised.
In 1976 Meade Holdings acquired the shops as a furniture outlet and eventually took over the rest of the building for their furniture workshop.
In 1980 the building was taken over by Wellington Decorators and Furnishings as ‘a one stop shop’. In 1990 the ownership changed hands and it became known as Island Bay Hardware until it closed in 2004.
Cinema again
Cinema again
The Werry and Hays families took over the building in 2004 and completely renovated it internally into four boutique cinemas and a café, which opened on 1 September 2005 with the screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.
Empire Theatre in 2006 - Image via P Brown
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