Local philanthropist Gretel Packer has confirmed that the Metro/Minerva Theatre will be returned to a live theatre and will revert to its original name – the Minerva Theatre. This will be a major project in the neighbourhood, and the benefits to the community are significant.

• The new Minerva Theatre will provide a mid-size theatre desperately needed in this city.

• The theatre will reinvigorate the Potts Point/Kings Cross area as an entertainment hub and bring people into the area who will want to go to restaurants and bars.

• There will be an extraordinary boost to the economy of the area and the city, with new businesses and jobs stimulated by the presence of a live theatre in the Cross.

• The restoration of the Minerva will ensure one of the most important Art Deco cinemas in the country is retained and conserved.

• The Metro/Minerva is intimately associated with the history of entertainment in Sydney, and this important link to theatre and movies will be retained.

• The long-term goal of highlighting the Potts Point–Elizabeth Bay precinct as a national treasure because of its 20th-century Art Deco and Modernist architecture is enhanced by the retention and conservation of the only major Art Deco commercial building remaining in the area.

This is a wonderful project, and we applaud Ms Packer’s commitment to retaining the legacy of Sydney’s Art Deco architecture, promoting live theatre in Sydney, and preserving the essence of our community.

The Department of Planning and Environment emailed PPPG two days before Christmas informing us that the Deputy Secretary had approved the application for the Concept Proposal for Mixed Use with Affordable Housing – 45-53 Macleay Street [the Chimes], (SSD-79316759 ). There was no facility for us to respond until late January.

PPPG need now to focus on fighting to retain the inclusion of 50% studios that is offered and, at the same time, use this information to highlight the destruction of the real “affordable housing” where our diverse demographic is living, has always lived, and which creates the rich heritage and spirit of our unique area.

Latest: In April 2026, the PPPG Committee has sent on your behalf a submission objecting to the proposed development replacing the Chimes building in Macleay Street, Potts Point. Due to the short time frame for response and the very limited dissemination of the notification there was insufficient time to involve all our supporters in making individual responses. We have been informed that the Department will accept submissions after the 30th April so if anyone wants to make an objection, please use the PPPG submission as background material.

Please read the full Determination by the Department of Planning and Environment here