It is one of London's finest surviving examples of an art deco picture palace. Today, campaigners who have been fighting to save the Odeon cinema in Kensington High Street from demolition were celebrating a partial victory.
Property developers who plan to transform the building into a complex of flats have agreed that rather than bulldoze the building they will incorporate its historic facade into the design. There will be a 1,000-seat cinema in the basement.
This is the first image of how the new development will look with its distinctive 1925 frontage still intact.
Caroline McLean, one of the local residents who has been fighting to save the cinema, said she was delighted a compromise had been reached. She said: "It is pleasing that the owners of the site have recognised our attachment to our historic local cinema and its striking facade."
Developer Northacre, which bought the site a year ago, has submitted a planning application for its scheme to Kensington & Chelsea council. It wants to build 35 flats, 17 affordable units and a car and bicycle park as well as the cinema.
John Hunter of Northacre said: "We have sought the views of interested parties and, where possible, adjusted the scheme to meet their concerns. The retained facade combined with a modern residential apartment block will result in a building of the highest architectural quality in this important location."
Even Michael Winner, one of the highest-profile defenders of the Odeon, gave his backing to the revised plan. He has been offered free sweets for life at the new cinema - a privilege he already enjoys at the Odeon. The director said: "This is a bribe I am prepared to accept."
