Capitol Theatre
109-117 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000.
There were once a series of neon signs which adorned the Capitol Theatre at its construction in 1932. The most spectacular was a metal trough sign consisting of 2 metre tall letters spelling the word "CAPITOL". However, this sign was almost immediately overshadowed by the construction of the taller Manchester Unity Building next door.
A number of signs existed on the front façade but have all been removed with the exception of a small neon sign on the side of the awning. The one remaining sign contains the word "CAPITOL" spelled out with neon and metal-trough letters, and a series of incandescent bulbs surround the perimeter of the sign.
Despite its appearance, the cast iron verandah which now conceals the sign is the result of a restoration and the neon sign was once fully visible to pedestrians on the footpath.
The Capitol Theatre neon sign is significant as a relic from this era, but is no longer functional.
109-117 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000.
Photos
Description
There were once a series of neon signs which adorned the Capitol Theatre at its construction in 1932. The most spectacular was a metal trough sign consisting of 2 metre tall letters spelling the word "CAPITOL". However, this sign was almost immediately overshadowed by the construction of the taller Manchester Unity Building next door.
A number of signs existed on the front façade but have all been removed with the exception of a small neon sign on the side of the awning. The one remaining sign contains the word "CAPITOL" spelled out with neon and metal-trough letters, and a series of incandescent bulbs surround the perimeter of the sign.
Despite its appearance, the cast iron verandah which now conceals the sign is the result of a restoration and the neon sign was once fully visible to pedestrians on the footpath.
The Capitol Theatre neon sign is significant as a relic from this era, but is no longer functional.
Further Information
- Wixted, D. (2002)
Historic Electric Signage in
Victoria. Report for Heritage Victoria. pp.11, 46
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