The beloved Thebarton Theatre, affectionately known as 'Thebby' by locals, has undergone a comprehensive redevelopment that breathes new life into this iconic South Australian entertainment venue. Originally opened in 1928 as Thebarton Town Hall, the State Heritage-listed venue owned by the City of West Torrens has been transformed through a masterful renovation by JPE Design Studio, completed in 2025.

The 3,600-square-meter project represents a crucial turning point for the historic theater, which faced potential demolition when a new highway was planned through the area. However, the State Government's decision to tunnel under the existing buildings instead gave the venue a second chance at life. JPE Design Studio was engaged in 2021 to masterplan the entire precinct, including the theater, adjoining civic buildings, plaza, and parking area.

After decades without significant renovation, the theater had become spatially compromised for contemporary operations. The most pressing issues included inadequate event loading facilities, with large trucks forced to make awkward three-point turns in the southeastern corner of the site and equipment manually wheeled onto the stage via ramps. The venue's single main entrance fronting a busy road created dangerous situations as patrons spilled onto the street, risking traffic collisions. Additionally, the existing front bar and restroom facilities were positioned too close together, creating problematic circulation bottlenecks.

To address these functional challenges, JPE Design Studio implemented three strategic solutions that unlocked the precinct's full potential. First, they relocated truck loading for event setup and breakdown to the rear of the site, eliminating the traffic conflicts. Second, they opened up the corner of the site for use as a landscaped pedestrian plaza, creating a proper gathering space. Third, they designed a new dedicated entry pavilion featuring expanded amenities and an improved front bar area.

The renovation includes several major upgrades that modernize the venue while preserving its historic character. A new two-story entry pavilion provides dedicated bathroom amenities and, for the first time in the theater's 97-year history, equitable access to the auditorium's first floor via a new elevator. The redesigned front bar offers improved circulation patterns and clear separation from the restroom facilities, effectively eliminating the previous bottleneck issues.

A state-of-the-art loading dock with hydraulic lift and direct stage access has been installed at the site's rear, dramatically improving the event setup process. With truck traffic relocated away from the front entrance, the corner space has been transformed into a landscaped gathering area where patrons can safely congregate before shows and the community can enjoy the space year-round.

The design team, led by architects Charles Tindley, Kelsie Lafont-Hamon, and Tom Vinall, drew inspiration from the art deco styling of the 1920s era while ensuring the new additions complement rather than compete with the existing theater. The renovation employs bold geometric forms and carefully balanced materials including zinc and steel cladding, travertine tile, brass accents, textured render, and rich, deep colors. Thoughtful feature lighting throughout the space evokes a sense of glamour and theatrical drama appropriate to the venue's purpose.

Additional improvements include the installation of new timber flooring throughout the facility and the careful renovation of the auditorium's original decorative plasterwork. The theater's heritage facades have been restored with new painting and renovation work that honors the building's architectural significance while ensuring its structural integrity for decades to come.

The project team included KBR Engineers for civil, structural, and services engineering, Kennett Builders as the general contractor, and specialized consultants for quantity surveying, environmental sustainability, acoustics, and heritage preservation. Traffic engineering expertise was provided by MFY Traffic Engineers, while Masterplan Town & Country Planners handled urban planning aspects of the comprehensive redevelopment.

JPE Design Studio's philosophy that the greatest way to preserve a heritage asset is to adapt it to meet contemporary users' needs is clearly demonstrated in this project. The renovation enhances the theater's operational capabilities while maintaining the charm and historical significance of this iconic venue, cementing its status as a premier entertainment destination for generations to come. The successful completion of Stage 1, which broke ground in March 2024, proves that thoughtful architectural intervention can give historic buildings a vibrant second life while honoring their cultural legacy.