Staff at Tower Cinemas are working hard on the final touches before the iconic building’s opening night this weekend.
What was once an “abandoned, flooded and mouldy” site, the beloved King Street facility is just days away from welcoming patrons again.
Closed in 2018, the premises received a new lease on life when bought by third-generation cinema owner Peter Sourris.
Renovations took place over 18 months, with extensive repairs needed to fix both the interior and exterior, including a roof replacement.
Duty manager Corina Sabatini said the process had been “chaotic”.
“We’ve had to involve such a variety of tradies and everyone is all hands on deck,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“So, it has been a very busy environment.
“The tradies are still around just doing the finishing touches.”
She said several hidden gems were uncovered during the renovation process, including vintage movie posters, pinball machines and old movie reels.
While the original aesthetic has been widely maintained, modern touches have been featured in the final build.
A major improvement is the seating, with all three cinemas featuring reclining chairs with space for food and drink, some even with phone chargers.
A private room on the ground floor, equipped with a record player and a large screen, is perfect for small groups, screenings and events.
The cinema still boasts its original 35mm projectors, too, which are scheduled to be used next year, allowing audiences to watch vintage flicks and cult classics.
“Everything’s digital these days, so that’s another nod to the past,” Ms Sabatini said.
“We even have a couple of projectionists lined up to help us out.
“It’s definitely a lost skill, so we will be tapping into their knowledge and experience.”
Tower Cinemas originally opened in 1976, with the first screening the classic Steven Spielberg film Jaws.
So, as a nod to the building’s history, the same film – starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss – will be showcased on Saturday 22 November.
But, the cinema officially opens its doors 24 hours earlier, with recent releases Wicked: For Good, Bugonia, The Running Man and legendary Talking Heads documentary Stop Making Sense.
“We’re certainly expecting a packed night on Friday,” she said.
“Everybody wants to come early just to be a part of this.”
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