Kingston Building was engaged by the City of Newcastle Council to undertake the full re-roofing of the Civic Theatre Playhouse, a significant heritage asset within the Newcastle cultural precinct.

The scope of works included the complete removal and replacement of the existing roofing system, incorporating new sarking, battens, gutters, rainwater heads and Monier terracotta roof tiles, carefully selected to align with the building’s original character. Roof anchor points were also installed to facilitate safe and efficient ongoing maintenance.

In addition to the roofing works, Kingston completed detailed restoration of the fascia and eaves, ensuring all elements were reinstated to match the original heritage detailing. A key feature of the project was the replacement of the Fleche tower base, which was upgraded using aged copper-look aluminium cladding to maintain the building’s historic aesthetic while improving durability and performance. The project was finalised with a full external repaint, delivered in a heritage-matched colour scheme to preserve the architectural integrity of the theatre.

Working within a live and highly active performance venue presented a number of challenges, including restricted site access, stringent safety requirements and the need to coordinate works around a fixed schedule of theatre performances. Through careful planning, staging and close collaboration with Council and theatre stakeholders, Kingston Building successfully delivered the project within tight timeframes while ensuring there was no disruption to ongoing operations.

The completed works not only restore and protect the Playhouse roof structure but also enhance the longevity and presentation of one of Newcastle’s most iconic cultural buildings, ensuring it continues to serve the community for years to come.