Kingsland Empire

• Theatre ID
  1441
• Built / Converted
  1915
• Dates of use
  • 1915 - 1936: (possibly)
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Cinema
• Address
  107 Kingsland Road, Dalston, Hackney, London, E8 2BP, England

Details

An auctioneer's shop converted into Kingsland Palace was such a success that properties either side were bought up and the Kingsland Empire was constructed. The façe was described as 'late Edwardian neo-classical' with the entrance (as now) on the corner, access through a rotunda. A vast window on the Kingsland Road façe lit the two-level tea room, and the corner site was dominated by a domed tower. The circle was reached by stairs leading from the Mezzanine level, and entered at the front. The steeply sloped circle extended over to the front of the building. The interior was Edwardian classical with five arch features on the side walls and an elaborate proscenium with double Ionic columns either side, topped by a frieze of classical figures in relief. There were stage facilities and dressing rooms. In 1937, the Art Deco cinema that exists today was constructed by F E Bromige, although the domed tower has been dismantled.

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• Other names
  Kingsland Palace, Classic, Tatler, Rio
• Events
  • 1915 - 1936 Use: (possibly)
  • 1909 - 0 Design/Construction: auctioneers shop converted to cinema.
    • Clara Ludski - Architect
  • 1915 - 0 Design/Construction: new cinema (with stage) constructed on site.
    • Percy Adams & George Coles - Architect
  • 1937 - 0 Design/Construction: new cinema within shell of Kingsland Empire.
    • F E Bromige - Architect
  • 1933 Owner/Management: London & Southern Cinemas Ltd
  • 1936 Owner/Management: Capital & Provincial News Theatres
  • 1976 - 0 Owner/Management: independent co-operative management (run by trust).
  • 1997 - 0 Alteration: restored to 1937 interior (architect unknown).
• Capacities
  • Later: 1915: 902 1937: 576
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Pros flat