Cinema style - Regent Theatre in CathedralSquare Christchurch
The Regent Theatre in Cathedral Square Christchurch started life
as the Royal Exchange Building in 1905 reflecting the Royal Exchange
Assurance Company's tenancy. Designed by the Luttrell brothers,
Alfred and Sidney, fresh to New Zealand, the design incorporated
elements of Britain and America using a fashionable Edwardian
Baroque style dressed with decorative elements influenced by American
architecture. Commercial tenants, office, retail and two warehouses
filled the original building with a café provided on the
second level accessible by two of the first electric lifts in
New Zealand.
After 25 years in service, local architect J. S. Guthrie retained
the shell and completely redesigned the interior focusing on luxury
reinforced by the generous use of mirrors, gilt and marble and
the largest screen in Australasia fed by the latest in movie projection.
A 1979 fire destroyed his work and the theatre reopened in 1981
as a twin cinema complex on the inside while retaining its unique
exterior façade.
The building exterior was coated in a combination of chlorinated
rubber and acrylic. Sample patches of the recommended paint system
were applied to the existing system to confirm compatibility and
adhesion, as stripping back to bare substrate was considered impractical.
Based on the test results, Resene X-200 waterproofing membrane
was confirmed as the appropriate finish teamed with Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel on timber joinery and trims and Resene
Super Gloss on steel sash window joinery.
Prone to everything Mother Nature could throw at it for over
a century, the exterior required extensive remedial work including
replastering and fibreglass waterproofing to parapets and ledges
before the Resene X-200 system could be applied. The exterior
palette focuses on light neutrals in a range of hues to work with
the building design and highlight its architectural features.
Wall areas are finished in Resene Sisal (light beige), changing
to Resene Triple Sisal (greened ochre) on lower walls, upper textured
walls and bay window bases. This tonal palette is punctuated by
Resene Half Spanish White (complex neutral) on pilasters, capitals,
balustrades, parapets and other architectural features and Resene
Nero (inky blue black) on window sashes.
The proposed colour palette was electronically presented using
the Resene RenderRite service enabling the client to confirm the
proposed palette with confidence.
An important part of the Cathedral streetscape, this special
building is now well protected in its new coats.
Client and Property Manager: Phillip Carter, Carter Group.
Colour Selection: Bridget Sullivan, room INTERIORS
Painting Contractor: Programme Maintenance Services
Resene: Christchurch sales team, Lauren Hamill, RenderRite Consultant
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