Greater Union Pitt Centre
Located in Sydney city centre, around the corner from the State Theatre, The Greater Union Pitt Centre was opened on 9th April 1976. It stood on the site of the Liberty Theatre (see below). The Pitt Centre was one of the early multi-screen cinemas being developed at that time. Its three screens had seating for 650, 450 and 400. The 450-seat auditorium was on the ground floor, with the other two screens on the the first floor.
The Greater Union Pitt Centre closed in May 1999, and was converted into retail use, with a furniture store in one of the spaces. In around 2009, the premises were vacated, and the empty building was demolished in May 2010. A 44-storey office tower has been built on the site.
North Art Deco architect Bruce C. Dellit designed the Liberty Theatre for impresario David N. Martin on the site of the Rialto Theatre (former Grand Theatre) on Pitt Street. The Liberty Theatre was opened on 31st March 1934 with Maragaret Sullivan in "Only Yesterday". The original press release praised the simple Art Deco style, "the magnificent glitter of glass paneling &diffused wall lighting with ceramic dyes gives the theatre a rich yet restrained atmosphere". Decor featured sculptures and relief wall panels by Raynor Hoff. Seating was provided for 401 in the stalls and 252 in the circle.
Taken over by MGM in July 1937, the Liberty Theatre became MGM s counterpart to Hoyts Century Theatre with an emphasis on women s films but in May, 1953, it was chosen for the world premiere of Marlon Brando in "Julius Caesar".
While it was not ideal for widescreen films it still advertised a "big panoramic screen" and new waterfall curtains helped maximize the screen size. The Liberty Theatre was taken over by Greater Union Theatres in the early-1970 s. It was closed on 30th January 1975, and the 3-screen Greater Union Pitt Centre was built on the site.
Location: 232 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW
