Built in the 1927-28 and designed by Chapman & Oxley, the Runnymede was a rare type of cinema called an “atmospheric theatre” that projected images of moving clouds onto its sky-blue ceiling. The building remained a cinema until its conversion into a Chapters bookstore in 1998.

A designated heritage property, ERA provided architectural heritage consulting to preserve, maintain and restore the theatre as part of the retail conversion. Original colours and materials were restored and efforts were made to preserve the raked floors to maintain the possibility of restoration of the cinema function.