User talk:Michellecrisp/Sandbox

The Trocadero

The Trocadero, photographed in Feb. 2007, just after the completion of restoration

One of the most significant architectural conservation projects in Newtown in recent years has been the restoration of the Trocadero dance hall in King St North. This large entertainment venue -- one of the last 19th century dance halls still standing in Sydney -- opened in 1889. Over the years it functioned variously as a dance hall, a skating rink, a cinema, a boxing and vaudeville venue, a bicycle factory and a motor body works.

From 1920 onwards it was owned by the Grace Brothers retail company, and several sections were leased out as shops or accommodation. For many years the shopfront on the northern side of the building housed Maurice's Lebanese Restaurant, commemorated in John Kennedy's "On King St, I'm A King". The building was purchased by Moore Theological College in 1974, and from 1981 to 1994 it housed the Con Dellis used furniture store, but all occupation ceased after that time. Fortunately, a comprehensive restoration program during 2005-2006 by Moore College has returned this outstanding 19th century building, including its elaborate Flemish-style facade, to its former glory.

The University of Regina had some 12,500 students as of the 2002-2003 academic year and was rated 6th in the 2005 Maclean's magazine Canadian National Comprehensive Universities Rankings. The original Regina College buildings on College Avenue continue in use; the old Girls' Residence is now the Regina Conservatory of Music and the old Normal School is now the Canada-Saskatchewan Soundstage.