Thebarton Theatre Complex Redevelopment | JPE Design Studio

Thebarton Theatre, affectionately known as “Thebby,” is a State Heritage–listed live entertainment venue, originally opened in 1928 as Thebarton Town Hall. In 2021, JPE was engaged to masterplan the wider precinct, responding to the theatre’s ageing facilities, constrained operations, and changing contemporary needs. Once at risk of demolition due to a proposed new highway, the theatre was preserved when tunnelling was adopted instead, giving the Theatre the opportunity for renewal.

Stage 1 of works commenced in March 2024, addressing long-standing functional issues including inefficient event loading, unsafe patron entry, and circulation bottlenecks. Key interventions include relocating truck access to the rear, creating a landscaped pedestrian plaza, and introducing a new two-storey entry pavilion with improved amenities, renovated front bar, and equitable access via a new lift. Complementary art deco–inspired respects and complements the Theatre’s historic character, ensuring its ongoing relevance and vitality for future generations.