Written by Jan Henderson, photography by Aidan Halloran.

Film going is a part of the Australian psyche and has always been a certain rite of passage for anyone who adores the escape from reality with choc-top in hand. For many of us, today’s cinema experience is about bland interiors and uncomfortable seats, but that has all changed with the opening of the Lido Cinemas in the inner Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. Four years in the making, the renovated interior of the Lido offers not just movies, but a total entertainment and hospitality experience like no other.

The Lido was opened in 1912 with all the pomp and ceremony the era could afford. The building reflected the pre-World I penchant for decoration and design with leadlight windows and plaster ceilings, carved handrails and wrought iron filigree. Time took its toll, however, and the grande dame fell into disrepair until Eddie and Lindy Tamir bought the site with a vision for a total cinema experience. To realise the potential, architect Aidan Halloran from ITN Architects was appointed to lead the redesign and renovation, and what a rebirth it is. The finished project boasts eight screens with bar and café area, rooftop cinema and even a separate area that has become the coolest jazz club in town.

Colour is the key to this design – bold, primary, blocks of colour that transport you to another world. This is a touch like The Wizard of Oz on steroids. The entrance is located in the Lido Arcade and the original staircase is a riot of red floors, walls and ceilings. The inclusion of two original, round, stained-glass windows is a fine addition and brings the history of the Lido front and centre. The stairs lead to the first floor foyer area where there is a herringbone oak floor (Havwoods) in the long rectangular space. The ceiling is low and painted dark, dark blue and at the far end of the area original Victorian windows overlook busy Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. Halloran’s design has embraced and accentuated the length of the room with slashes of LED metre-lengths of light (Inlite) that punctuate the ceiling and the walls.

Where possible original features have been retained and renovated, and the glimpses of decorative plaster ceilings and marble and terrazzo floors that lead to the exits add a rich layering to the new design. Opposite the service counter where drinks and meals are served are booths, tables, stools and chairs and the feel is reminiscent of a 1950s diner. This sidewall is clad with shards of mirror that refract the light and colour, and work to confuse the eye, but in a very good way. Further along towards the windows is an area for relaxing with more banquette seating and stools with a large communal table in the middle. A portion of the existing terrazzo floor has been retained and renovated and this is another fine example of combining the old with the new, each enhancing the other. Back at the entrance of the foyer are the utilities tucked away to the side of the general passageway to the cinemas. Each of the toilets is again colour-coded, with lime green for women and orange and black for men. There is also one other secret location in this area, a late addition to the original plan, and a genius inclusion to the whole – a jazz club. Every weekend, musicians play live jazz to capacity crowds and the club is rivalling the adjoining cinemas as a destination of note.