The ODEON, Pilgrim Street – Preserve, Renovate, or Demolish? - Page 7

***Newcastle Historian*** · September 7th, 2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delicolor

Happy Birthday Paramount, the grand old lady of Pilgrim Street is 80 today!

Glad she made 80.

Sadly, I doubt if she'll get her telegram!

delicolor · September 7th, 2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

I have just had my anorak on (!) and it's the most fun I have had while wearing an anorak, for years, Good stuff!

Also, I have added the 'Home Site' to Section 09 of the Websites Thread.

In that case, I should make some effort to get the Mercia galleries back up again.

Glad you enjoyed it!

ALWARD1 · January 23rd, 2012, 01:59 PM

Hi, I'm an architecture student at Newcastle University. Am planning on taking the odeon cinema on pilgrim street as my next project.
I'm hoping someone will be able to tell me where I could find copies of the drawings of the building? And if there was someone to contact to try get access into the building?
It's such a shame that the demise of this building has been allowed to happen. I don't think I'll be able to effect it, but it will make one hell of an interesting project.

Steve Ellwood · January 23rd, 2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALWARD1

Hi, I'm an architecture student at Newcastle University. Am planning on taking the odeon cinema on pilgrim street as my next project.
I'm hoping someone will be able to tell me where I could find copies of the drawings of the building? And if there was someone to contact to try get access into the building?
It's such a shame that the demise of this building has been allowed to happen. I don't think I'll be able to effect it, but it will make one hell of an interesting project.

Drawings etc - would normally suggest the Tyne & Wear Archives but looking at their on line catalogue there only appears to be an old slide available - check out http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/archives/catalogue/

***Newcastle Historian*** · January 23rd, 2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALWARD1

Hi, I'm an architecture student at Newcastle University. Am planning on taking the odeon cinema on pilgrim street as my next project.
I'm hoping someone will be able to tell me where I could find copies of the drawings of the building? And if there was someone to contact to try get access into the building?
It's such a shame that the demise of this building has been allowed to happen. I don't think I'll be able to effect it, but it will make one hell of an interesting project.

In addition to the site suggested by Steve, there is also this one here . . .

ODEON PILGRIM STREET - IAN GREY'S NEWCASTLE PARAMOUNT WEBSITE
http://www.iangrey.org/paramount/index.htm

See 'Section 09' of our Websites Listing Thread, one of the 'sticky' threads at the top of the forum.

delicolor · January 23rd, 2012, 09:35 PM

Regardless of what the online system says, the Odeon Plans are available at the archives, both the preliminary ones and the final ones (including a couple of lesser quality "as-builts" when the decorative scheme changed from Paramount Manchester style to Paramount Denver style).

They are in a "Folio", at the recommendation of Frank Manders and there is a chance they won't find them when you visit the reading room if you don't mention that. I think it begins with T186 now (Newcastle centre until the 1940s) and my notes say A3130 was the reference before it was put in the folio.

Phil K · May 27th, 2012, 01:25 PM

Far too young to have known it as the Paramount, but loved it as the Odeon

.

Godscrasher · January 6th, 2013, 04:51 PM

EPS - Site of a better arena.

Just throwing it in there and it is probably a stupid idea. Keep the frontage of odeon and use the space within and transform it. Much like Manchester's arena took shape.

Don't go slating as I know it is a rubbish idea - would be nice and ideal though.

Adrian_Swall · January 6th, 2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godscrasher

EPS - Site of a better arena.

Just throwing it in there and it is probably a stupid idea. Keep the frontage of odeon and use the space within and transform it. Much like Manchester's arena took shape.

Don't go slating as I know it is a rubbish idea - would be nice and ideal though.

Not a crazy idea - we are going to need some big ideas for the whole area to take off.

A couple of years back there were thoughts the Odeon could be converted to a Conference venue which would certainly bring a lot of people into the city centre and fill up the hotels but came to nought.

The conference centre is supposed now to be on the Gateshead side with a cheaper option than the original plans.
Not heard anything recently about that building?

NewcastleStu · January 6th, 2013, 06:06 PM

The main problem with it would be traffic/lack of access. Not everyone who wanted to go to an event would be able to get buses or the metro so where would they park?

I'd like at least part of the block to be a park, probably the whole block down to Market Street although there is no chance of the listed building going.

BerlinGeordie · January 7th, 2013, 10:24 AM

Also, the interior of the Odeon is the thing worth keeping/restoring. Facade retention only would be a waste of time in this case. But agreed, we need something that draws in the punters in that area.

NewcastleStu · January 7th, 2013, 06:40 PM

Well, that's why I'm in favour of demolition because most of the interior is gone. I'm sure there are photos earlier in this thread.

***Newcastle Historian*** · January 7th, 2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewcastleStu

Well, that's why I'm in favour of demolition because most of the interior is gone. I'm sure there are photos earlier in this thread.

Here . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by delicolor

February 5th 2011

If anyone is interested, there are some interior shots of the Pilgrim Street Odeon taken last May (2010) by John Matthews of the the Northumberland & Newcastle Society. They are on a dormant website so some of the links don't work properly, hence two links.

Photographs

Article
.

delicolor · January 7th, 2013, 10:56 PM

There is more left of the Newcastle Odeon than the Bradford Odeon and there plans afoot to restore the latter.

They might come to nothing but there is a groundswell there to bring it back into use.

WilfBurnsFan · March 16th, 2013, 10:30 PM

I noticed today that the scabby old boarding over the entrance has been replaced by steel shutters. Don't know if this presages developments...

TheTowerBridgeFox · March 20th, 2013, 11:06 PM

This is a Horror story! The exterior of the building is just as worth saving as the interior,
You just have to look at sites where they already completely demolished cinemas without retaining any original features.
(The Gosforth Royalty
The Queen theatre)

To see just how vacuous the these sites now are.
Go forth still looks like it has a front tooth removed,
And the tacky pastiche were the queen theatre stood is urban anti mater.

Much better to sees original features retained even if its not still used as a cinema

In London there are plenty examples of converted cinema , Witherspoon pub housed in a cinema ,
There is even an apartment store housed in inside a cinema with stalls circle screen and even the original organ retained.

But of course a cinema would be even better.

NewcastleStu · March 21st, 2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTowerBridgeFox

The exterior of the building is just as worth saving as the interior.

I beg to differ on that, it's a brick box!

TheTowerBridgeFox · March 22nd, 2013, 11:57 PM

The Brick frontage is attractive and would look dazzling cleaned up.

***Newcastle Historian*** · March 23rd, 2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTowerBridgeFox

The Brick frontage is attractive and would look dazzling cleaned up.

..

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxtoon

October 26th 2009.

1930's . . .
image hosted on flickr

1990's . . .
image hosted on flickr

BerlinGeordie · March 23rd, 2013, 09:41 AM

Naive question, but has Paramount Pictures ever been contacted or involved in the question of preserving this part of their company heritage?

May 27th, 2012, 01:25 PM	#127
Phil K Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 26 Likes (Received): 0	Far too young to have known it as the Paramount, but loved it as the Odeon . Last edited by Newcastle Historian; January 6th, 2013 at 05:45 PM.

March 16th, 2013, 10:30 PM	#135
WilfBurnsFan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 2,385 Likes (Received): 15	I noticed today that the scabby old boarding over the entrance has been replaced by steel shutters. Don't know if this presages developments... __________________ And another thing about the 1944 ARP scandal...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

January 23rd, 2012, 01:59 PM	#123
ALWARD1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1 Likes (Received): 0	Hi, I'm an architecture student at Newcastle University. Am planning on taking the odeon cinema on pilgrim street as my next project. I'm hoping someone will be able to tell me where I could find copies of the drawings of the building? And if there was someone to contact to try get access into the building? It's such a shame that the demise of this building has been allowed to happen. I don't think I'll be able to effect it, but it will make one hell of an interesting project.

January 23rd, 2012, 09:35 PM	#126
delicolor Ian Grey- Geordie Exile Join Date: May 2008 Location: Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 477 Likes (Received): 1	Regardless of what the online system says, the Odeon Plans are available at the archives, both the preliminary ones and the final ones (including a couple of lesser quality "as-builts" when the decorative scheme changed from Paramount Manchester style to Paramount Denver style). They are in a "Folio", at the recommendation of Frank Manders and there is a chance they won't find them when you visit the reading room if you don't mention that. I think it begins with T186 now (Newcastle centre until the 1940s) and my notes say A3130 was the reference before it was put in the folio.

January 6th, 2013, 04:51 PM	#128
Godscrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Newcastle Posts: 299 Likes (Received): 2	EPS - Site of a better arena. Just throwing it in there and it is probably a stupid idea. Keep the frontage of odeon and use the space within and transform it. Much like Manchester's arena took shape. Don't go slating as I know it is a rubbish idea - would be nice and ideal though.

January 6th, 2013, 06:06 PM	#130
NewcastleStu Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,171 Likes (Received): 6	The main problem with it would be traffic/lack of access. Not everyone who wanted to go to an event would be able to get buses or the metro so where would they park? I'd like at least part of the block to be a park, probably the whole block down to Market Street although there is no chance of the listed building going.

January 7th, 2013, 10:24 AM	#131
BerlinGeordie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 235 Likes (Received): 1	Also, the interior of the Odeon is the thing worth keeping/restoring. Facade retention only would be a waste of time in this case. But agreed, we need something that draws in the punters in that area.

January 7th, 2013, 06:40 PM	#132
NewcastleStu Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,171 Likes (Received): 6	Well, that's why I'm in favour of demolition because most of the interior is gone. I'm sure there are photos earlier in this thread.

January 7th, 2013, 10:56 PM	#134
delicolor Ian Grey- Geordie Exile Join Date: May 2008 Location: Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 477 Likes (Received): 1	There is more left of the Newcastle Odeon than the Bradford Odeon and there plans afoot to restore the latter. They might come to nothing but there is a groundswell there to bring it back into use.

March 20th, 2013, 11:06 PM	#136
TheTowerBridgeFox Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 2 Likes (Received): 0	This is a Horror story! The exterior of the building is just as worth saving as the interior, You just have to look at sites where they already completely demolished cinemas without retaining any original features. (The Gosforth Royalty The Queen theatre) To see just how vacuous the these sites now are. Go forth still looks like it has a front tooth removed, And the tacky pastiche were the queen theatre stood is urban anti mater. Much better to sees original features retained even if its not still used as a cinema In London there are plenty examples of converted cinema , Witherspoon pub housed in a cinema , There is even an apartment store housed in inside a cinema with stalls circle screen and even the original organ retained. But of course a cinema would be even better.

March 22nd, 2013, 11:57 PM	#138
TheTowerBridgeFox Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 2 Likes (Received): 0	The Brick frontage is attractive and would look dazzling cleaned up.

March 23rd, 2013, 09:41 AM	#140
BerlinGeordie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 235 Likes (Received): 1	Naive question, but has Paramount Pictures ever been contacted or involved in the question of preserving this part of their company heritage?