Argyle Street
This fantastic building completely belies its plain, unadorned
exterior. Inside is an amazing untouched time capsule of a 1930s cinema
- complete with original seats, curtains, carpets, screen and
projectors! Still owned by the family of the man who built it, J E
Sheeran, it is now used as storage space for their business. With
amazing foresight they have preserved this remarkable survivor in its
entirety.
Opened in January 1937, the interior of the Rex is lined with panels, a
mahogany staircase and grand chandelier rescued from scrap from the
cruise ship 'Homeric'.
The cinema closed in the mid-fifties, and for some time was used as a
bingo hall, before being used as storage space.
The Rex was opened to the public as part of Doors Open Day on September
11, 2004. The place was packed with people fascinated by the building
and its history. It is very much to be hoped that the amazing response
to the building at this event will encourage the restoration and resuse
of the building - surely some lottery or Historic Scotland money could
be forthcoming to support such a project?
The following large gallery of images (photos by Gordon Barr &…
Argyle Street
This fantastic building completely belies its plain, unadorned
exterior. Inside is an amazing untouched time capsule of a 1930s cinema
- complete with original seats, curtains, carpets, screen and
projectors! Still owned by the family of the man who built it, J E
Sheeran, it is now used as storage space for their business. With
amazing foresight they have preserved this remarkable survivor in its
entirety.
Opened in January 1937, the interior of the Rex is lined with panels, a
mahogany staircase and grand chandelier rescued from scrap from the
cruise ship 'Homeric'.
The cinema closed in the mid-fifties, and for some time was used as a
bingo hall, before being used as storage space.
The Rex was opened to the public as part of Doors Open Day on September
11, 2004. The place was packed with people fascinated by the building
and its history. It is very much to be hoped that the amazing response
to the building at this event will encourage the restoration and resuse
of the building - surely some lottery or Historic Scotland money could
be forthcoming to support such a project?
The following large gallery of images (photos by Gordon Barr & Gary
Painter) tries to give a taste of the atmosphere of this place...
a true gem!
