Historic Art Deco Cinema Saved from Demolition in Cambridge Showdown

On Hobson Street in Cambridge, there is an old cinema that has been part of the city’s history since 1930. The building was first used for showing movies, but it closed in 1972. After that, it became a bingo hall, which stayed open until 2009. Since then, the cinema has been empty and has started to look run-down. The lower part of the building is pale grey and dirty, while the upper part is made of cream bricks and features tall, narrow windows that are typical of the art deco style. The name of the cinema used to be displayed above the door, but now only the remains of a wooden sign are left. The street around the cinema is lined with other old brick buildings, and there are some trees nearby.

Recently, developers wanted to knock down the old cinema and build a new office block in its place. The owner, Mark Richer, said he had spent more than ten years trying to find someone who would use the building, but he was not successful. He felt that something needed to be done to improve the site and bring new life to the area. The developers also promised to add a community space and refurbish Hobson’s Passage if their plan was approved. However, Cambridge City Council refused to give permission for the demolition, and when the developers appealed, a planning inspector agreed with the council’s decision.

The inspector reviewed a study that showed there would be challenges in keeping the art deco facade as part of any redevelopment. One problem was the lack of windows, which could make the building less attractive to future users. The study suggested that most people would prefer a modern style and would not value the historic facade. But the inspector did not find this argument convincing. They said that offices in converted historic buildings in city centers are actually very desirable. The inspector also pointed out that the cinema has a moderate level of significance, both because of its own history and because of its contribution to the look and feel of Hobson Street. Losing the art deco facade would mean losing an important part of the street’s character.

The inspector also raised concerns about how a new office building might affect the city’s skyline. While they recognized that the proposed redevelopment would have some benefits, such as a new community space, they felt these were not enough to outweigh the loss of the historic facade. As a result, the plan to demolish the cinema was blocked, and the building will remain standing for now. This decision highlights the importance of preserving historic buildings and maintaining the unique character of city streets.