Around London and many other cities throughout the world, there are many “pleasure palaces” that have long ago outlived their original use. Once glorious structures have become derelict. is it possible to transform these past relics be transformed to regain their usefulness?

These days it benefits the environment to transform an existing building rather than demolish and start over, in situations where this is practical. Retaining the existing foundations and in some cases the outer facade of the building can mean much less impact on the environment and will in many cases result in considerably less expense to the developer. But how can you transform an old disused theatre? The answer is… plenty! With some imagination and architectural knowledge, these old buildings can once more play a part in the streetscapes of our cities.

Obviously, the decision whether to renovate or rebuild is dependent upon the structural integrity of the building in conjunction with the visual aesthetics. Is there a cultural significance attached to the building? Does it represent a specific architectural period? Will the resulting structure appreciate in value? There are many such aspects that must be taken into consideration.

The following ideas are but four of many possible transformations of an old theatre.

Creating a Contemporary Theatre/Cinema Complex

This is mostly likely the obvious option for such a structure. The provision of updated facilities in a heritage building can be seen as the best of both worlds, combining the romance of the pleasure palace with state of the art technology as demanded by today’s audiences. Quite a number of old theatres have been transformed in this way.

Depending upon the size of the original building and the demands of the locality, there is even scope for a small performance space, complete with change rooms, to satisfy those who love live theatre.

Incorporating a Shopping Mall

This is indeed a way to boost revenue, particularly for a building situated in the centre of a city. Small specialty shops with a variety of goods for sale would boost the local economy and provide retail-based employment. Consideration should be made regarding car parking spaces or the availability of public transport to attract the greatest number of shoppers.

A Leisure Centre

A combination of a gym with healthy food stalls will attract time-poor city workers. Add to this combination a meeting space, possibly even a conference centre and the old theatre takes on a new life. A roof top garden, if possible, would create a haven for humans, allowing them to escape their stressful daily lives, even if only for a few minutes.

A Suite Of Residential Dwellings

City living is always attractive and residential areas are in high demand in most cities. An old theatre can be restructured into a series of modern living spaces for those who wish to be close to the action, or for those who do not wish to commute to work. Once again, the roof top garden can be an area where residents can share meals or simply unwind.

With a little ingenuity and considered planning, these ideas are guaranteed to be a success and the old theatre will live once more.

If you are considering investing in a very disused theatre to redevelop, be sure to go to theatre for sale for a few useful advice.