NHER 50507 (Building record) - The Aquarium, now Royalty Cinema

Constructed in 1875 to a grand towering design, using cement, brick and iron. Intended as a reading room, concert hall and opera as well as an aquarium, with a roller skating rink on the roof (flooded for use as an ice skating rink in 1879). Tanks were fed from the sea by steam pumps. In 1880 it contained Charlie, the largest seal in captivity, who would go to Crystal Palace for the winter and play at centre hald. In 1882 the venture failed and it was sold for use as a theatre. In the late 20th century it became a cinema. (S1)
E. Rose (NLA), 27 July 2007.

March 2010. Recommendation for listing.
The building is now a multiplex cinema. The main façade is a late 19th century addition by Bottle and Olley to the designs of the architects Norton and Masey in the Neo-baroque style. One of the tanks associated with the former aquarium survives inside. The Prince of Wales feathers on the façade may hint at Royal association. I was decided that the building is too altered to be considered for listing.
See (S2).
S. Howard (NLA), 6 October 2010.