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The Palais Theatre, 1 Lower Esplanade St. Kilda.

There have been three “Palais Theatres” on this site in St Kilda.

In 1916,  the Dance Palais (1913-1915)  was converted into a picture theatre "Palais De Danse Pictures". In 1920 it was rebuilt, enlarged and reopened as Palais Pictures (the 1st Palais on this site).  

The 2nd Palais (Architect: Walter Burley Griffin) was constructed over(?) the 1st Palais. Construction began in 1925, but it was destroyed by fire in 1926 before completion.

The third and current Palais Theatre (Architect Henry E, White) was opened 11/11/1927. It was a major cinema venue for many years, however, film screenings on regular basis ceased c.1970. It is now used mostly as a "live" venue (although films have been screened occasionally).

The Palais is  now clamed to be largest single existing cinema auditorium in Australia.

The Palais Theatre, St Kilda

Images:

CTS (UK), Royce Harris