Despite Yarra Council and community opposition, VCAT has approved the demolition of Richmond’s Old Greek Theatre for a new residential and retail development.
In an interview following the hearing, founder of the ‘Save The Greek’ campaign, Nikos Psaltopoulos, told Neos Kosmos he is “absolutely devastated” by the result.
“I’m gutted that a building which represents such social and historical significance to our community will just be wiped off the face of Bridge Road. It will be honoured with a plaque, and that’s just an absolute joke.”
Mr Psaltopoulos has been leading the campaign to save, at the very least, the facade of the 1920s building, and has garnered just short of 500 supporters via Facebook.
Yarra Council was also on board earlier this year, when they declared the development would “unreasonably impact the heritage significance of the site” during the Internal Development Approvals Committee meeting.
Though the building is recognised as a part of the Bridge Road Heritage Precinct, the council have determined the fate of the Old Greek Theatre, ruling that it has no place alongside the new 13-storey apartment building, with the view it would create “unreasonable visual bulk”.
The developers heading the project claim independent heritage experts suggest the Old Greek Theatre is of limited historical significance to the area, due to a number of renovations made to the venue over time.
The adjoining London Baby Carriage building, on the other hand, will be retained, its facade incorporated into the development which will house 177 apartments, seven retail stores and two food and drink premises.
But it’s not this project alone that has Psaltopoulos disappointed. “Over the last few years I’ve seen the desecration in our suburb through inappropriate development,” says the Richmond resident.
“Sites that are socially and historically significant – we’re losing them fast, and they’re being replaced with concrete monolithic cultures that will be eyesores in the years to come.”
Psaltopoulos thinks the council should see this as an opportunity to set new standards for future developments, which pay adequate tribute to the past.
“As a child I’ve got amazing memories of going there with my parents and watching Greek cinema. This was the first time we saw Greece represented on film and it meant so much to so many people.”
VCAT’s ruling, Psaltopoulos says, highlights a problem across Victoria with regard to planning.
“There’s no structure plan to build the Bridge Road Precinct. What that means is, it’s open. Any developer can come in without a structure plan, and propose whatever they want, and if something gets approved, it sets a new precedent,” he says.
Psaltopoulos has vowed to challenge the council’s decision, having met with Yarra mayor Phillip Vlahogiannis with a request that they “disrupt” the way planning and structural plans are completed.
Though he is determined to formulate a new official structure plan for the city, it’s no easy feat, with the process expected to take upwards of two years.
“Can you imagine the damage that will happen to Bridge Road in that time frame?”
Though Psaltopoulos has yet to be informed of an official date for the demolition of the old theatre, one thing’s for sure – he won’t be present.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to stand by and watch the building go. A lot of us have fought really hard for this. It breaks my heart just thinking about it.
“But I’ll tell you what, the fights on. Although we may have taken a hit with the theatre, there’s a wider issue here and that’s the way planning’s been done. We’ve had enough.”
