FAQ
A capacity audience inside the Minerva auditorium in 1939
Minerva Theatre Project Potts Point, Sydney A full house at the Minerva. Photograph by Sam Hood, 1939. Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
The Minerva Theatre photographed at night in 1939
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The Minerva Theatre on Orwell Street, photographed at night in 1939
The Minerva on Orwell Street, 1939. Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW

A new chapter for the Minerva.

A proposal to restore and reactivate one of Sydney's significant cultural and heritage buildings as a theatre and live performance venue.

Have your say

Everything shown here is a proposal being explored. No planning application has yet been lodged.

The Theatre is at the centre of the development.

After decades of limited public use, the Minerva Theatre Project presents an opportunity to reactivate the Minerva as a working theatre and cultural destination.

The project team is exploring how the theatre can be restored and adapted to meet contemporary safety, accessibility, operational and performance requirements, while retaining as much of its original character as possible.

The proposal is also considering how spaces above and below the theatre could complement its creative purpose and support the successful operation of the venue. These uses would support, rather than replace, the theatre and are still being explored.

Concept sketch of the restored auditorium, a conductor before a full house beneath the curved ceiling Auditorium concept sketch. Tribe Studio Architects
The dress circle of the Minerva auditorium in 1939, rows of seating beneath the curved ceiling
The Minerva dress circle. Building magazine, 24 May 1939
The curved plaster ceiling inside the Minerva auditorium, photographed in 2026
The curved ceiling inside the auditorium, 2026. Tribe Studio Architects

Have your say.

The Minerva Theatre Project team is commencing community consultation ahead of the lodgement of a State Significant Development Application. A number of important elements of the proposal remain under consideration, and we want to hear from the people who live, work and do business around the Minerva.

The Minerva sits on Orwell Street in Potts Point, a direct walk up Llankelly Place from Kings Cross Station, in a precinct of laneway cafes, gardens and gathering places.

Have your say
Concept sketch of Llankelly Place, cafe tables and people along the laneway
Llankelly Place, concept sketch. Tribe Studio Architects

Three ways to take part.

The Minerva foyer stair as it stands today
Wednesday, 21 October, 5:45pm

Online community webinar

Register
The Minerva street entrance with its marquee, photographed in 1939
Saturday, 17 October, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Saturday, 24 October, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Kings Cross Markets

Community drop in session

No need to register, arrive any time
A capacity audience inside the Minerva auditorium in 1939
Places are limited

Community solutions workshop

Where consultation fits.

Proposal refinement, shaped by feedback In planning
State Significant Development Application lodgement Ahead
Public exhibition and assessmentThis is the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s formal consultation process. Here, the community can make formal submissions on the project. DPHI will notify the community once this stage commences. Ahead
Determination Ahead