In 1995, after 18 months of negotiations with the Darling Harbour Authority, Cinema Plus Pty Ltd received approval to construct an IMAX theatre in Sydney. The cinema featured an eight storey screen with the capacity to seat 540 people, and its construction cost $18 million AUD.[2]
IMAX Sydney opened on 26 September 1996.[3][4] At the time of opening, it featured a 40m x 30m[5] screen, as well as an IMAX 15/70 projector. The cinema opened with a party that was attended by 700 guests who viewed a screening of the film The Living Sea.[4][5]
In 2012, a new 29.7m x 35.7m screen was installed at a cost of $250,000.[6]
On 25 September 2016, the cinema was demolished in order to make way for a new complex called The Ribbon that was planned to open in 2019.[7]
On 11 October 2023, after 4 years of delays, the cinema reopened with a screening of Avatar: The Way of Water.[8][1] After its reopening, the cinema featured 325 seats and IMAX dual laser projection system, as well as a 12 Channel sound system and a 29m x 24m screen.[9][10][11]
Comparison to other IMAX theatres in Australia
Currently, there is only one other IMAX theatre in Australia, which is IMAX Melbourne. Compared to IMAX Melbourne, IMAX Sydney is smaller in both capacity and screen size, and also lacks a 15/70 projector which IMAX Melbourne has. However, IMAX currently has plans to open up to 40 more theatres in Australia,[12][13][14] with one of those locations planned to be in Canberra.[15][16][17]
^ abCrayford, P (1996) 'Larger than life', Australian Financial Review, The (Australia), 4 Oct, p. 14, (online NewsBank).
^ abSUSSKIND, A (1996) 'World's largest screen gives cinemagoers B-I-G picture', Sydney Morning Herald, The (Australia), 11 Sep, p. 7, (online NewsBank).
