St James Theatre, Historic theatre in central Wellington, New Zealand.
St James Theatre is a theatre in central Wellington featuring marble detailing, carved face masks, and ornamental cherubs throughout its interior. The building was constructed entirely with a steel frame and concrete structure to support its performance space.
The building was designed in 1912 by architect Henry Eli White and was the first theatre constructed entirely from steel frame and concrete. This construction method was groundbreaking at the time and established new standards for theatre buildings.
The theatre served as a center for silent film culture before transitioning into a stage for diverse live performances. Today visitors experience dance, opera, and theatrical productions within its walls.
The St. James stands at 83 Courtenay Place, opposite the Reading Cinema complex, on the main street of Wellington's entertainment district. The auditorium was planned so that over 650 people could leave it in a fire, and pillars were kept to a minimum for sightlines. The building is a Category 1 Historic Place.
The building employs an arc-shaped seating arrangement that allows most seating areas to be designed without large support pillars. This clever design solution was unconventional for its time and demonstrates the architect's innovative approach.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,547 contributors worldwide.
