Tivoli Picture House / New Tivoli
52 Gorgie Road
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The original Tivoli opened in August 1913, by Menzies, Cockburn and
Johnston. It incorporated a stage, which saw touring variety artists
from time to time, and sat around 580. The original decorative scheme
was noted as being predominantly cream. Sound equipment was installed
in 1929.
The Tivoli closed, and demolition work started in July 1933.
[1913 Archive images courtesy of the Scottish Screen Archive at the National Library of Scotland]
The
replacement building, the New Tivoli, was designed by prolific cinema
architect James McKissack, and opened in January 1934. It incorporated
some of the fabric of the earlier building, in particular most of the
facade, which was extended upwards and eastwards. The facade was fitted
with an impressive jazzy neon scheme. Seating was now for 1200, and the plans included stage and dressing rooms.
[1938 Archive images courtesy of the Scottish Screen Archive at the National Library of Scotland]
This closed as a cinema in July 1973, and from then until 2006 was on bingo. Currently derelict, the building has recently (January 2008) been purchased by the Destiny Church group, who plan to restore the building and use it as a church. The 1930s sand-blasted art-deco window
decorations are still
visible on the exterior, and the interior retains most of its 1930s detailing. The building was B-listed by Historic Scotland in 1993.
The interior of the Mecca, Glasgow has similar decorative details to the New Tivoli.
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Archive image of the exterior decorated for the Coronation courtesy of Nigel Baxter