Basic Site Details

Name: Regal Cinema
City or county: Aberdeen
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status: Demolished
Grid ref:
Notes: Built on site of Palladium (see also separate entry for the Palladium)

The Associated British Cinemas Limited have acquired a site in Union-street for the erection of a cinema to seat 3,000. The company’s architect is Mr W R Glen FRIAS. No contracts let.
[Builder 10 September 1937 Page 474 ]

ABERDEEN - The Associated British Cinemas Limited have acquired a site in Union-street. Plans are being prepared by the company’s architect is Mr W R Glen FRIAS. [Builder 24 September 1937 Page 560]

Construction was halted on the outbreak of World War II. In 1952 C J Foster, ABC chief architect, updated Glen's plans. Cinema opened 26 July 1954 with seating for1,914.

Cinema demolished in 2000 and the Lighthouse, later Vue, multiplex cinema built on the site, opening in March 2001

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 1ABC Cinema  

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Cinema  

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
 AddressMain entrance?Notes
Item 1 of 2Shiprow  
Item 2 of 232 (or 35), Union Street  

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 71937 Proposed 
Item 2 of 71938 Plans prepared, construction not yet begun 
Item 3 of 71939  Construction halted because of WW2
Item 4 of 75 September 1952 Scheme acceptedAberdeen Corporation support application for erection of new cinema, estimated cost £37,900
Item 5 of 719 September 1952 AdditionPlans to be prepared for addition, estimated cost £35,000
Item 6 of 71954 OpenedOpened 26 July 1954 as the Regal Cinema
Item 7 of 72000 Destruction/demolition 

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 2William Riddell Glen  1939 As ABC's architect (Alexander Graham Glen is given in Architect & Building News but this is unlikely)
Item 2 of 2Cecil Jack Foster  19521954As ABC's architect, updated Glen's plans

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
 NameNotes
Item 1 of 1Associated British Cinemas Ltd 

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Architect and Building News1939July-Dec p52
Item 2 of 6Builder10 September 1937  p474
Item 3 of 6Builder24 September 1937  p560
Item 4 of 6Builder9 September 1938  p495
Item 5 of 6Builder5 September 1952  p349
Item 6 of 6Builder19 September 1952  p417

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 1Courtesy of Neil DarlingtonInformation sent via DSA website Sent June 2009