於1952年建成的北角皇都戲院大廈,前身為璇宮戲院,是本港現存歷史最悠久的戰後戲院,屬一級歷史建築,充滿神秘色彩。
璇宮戲院1957年結業易手,並於1959年改建為皇都戲院,後來於1997年關閉。至今戲院仍保留多項建築特色,包括全球獨一無二天台設計,呈拋物線形的巨型混凝土「飛拱」桁架結構,及英皇道入口上方的《蟬迷董卓》大型浮雕。
新世界發展10月8日以47.76億元投得皇都戲院大廈業權,是歷來最大宗強拍項目。大廈由住宅、商場及戲院三部分組成,至今有68年歷史。該集團已委聘三大英國及本地建築保育顧問為戲院制訂保育管理計劃,包括研究皇都戲院的歷史價值,並會在場內作3D掃描及勘探,以掌握皇都的內部結構。計劃保育為藝術文化表演場所,並會保留天台巨型飛拱,計劃開放飛拱範圍作休憩空間,讓公眾可近距離欣賞及打卡。
Built in 1952, the State Theatre Building in North Point, formerly known as Empire Theatre, is the oldest existing post-war cinema in Hong Kong. It is a Grade I historical building, full of mysteries.
Empire Theatre was closed in 1957 and was converted into State Theatre in 1959 until its closing in 1997. To this day, the cinema still retains many architectural features, including the world’s unique rooftop design – the giant concrete parabolic trusses structure, and the large relief sculpture of “Tung Cheuk seduced by Diu Sim” above its entrance on King’s Road.
On 8 Oct 2020, New World Development acquired the property rights of State Theatre Building for $4.776 billion, which is the largest amount fetched in forced auction ever. The building consists of three parts: residential, shopping mall and cinema, with a history of 68 years. The Group has appointed 3 major British and local building conservation consultants to formulate conservation management plans for the cinema, including a study of the historical value of State Theatre, and will conduct 3D scanning and exploration at the venue to gauge the internal structure. The plan is to preserve it as a venue for arts and cultural performances, to preserve the giant arches on the roof, and is planning to open the rooftop area to the public for viewing and taking pictures at close range.