Around 1890, 610 George Street was the Shamrock Club, owned by John Lawler, who had a six-storey warehouse next door at no.
612, which in 1894 were destroyed by fire, severely damaging other buildings nearby, many owned by the Edward Hordern company of Melbourne.
[3] Initially supported by live acts (from 2 June 1906 the featured artist was Professor Godfrey and his troupe of Acrobatic Baboons).
"Morton's Living Pictures" returned and was still running on 28 January 1907, but spelling of the venue had reverted to "Atheneum".
It became the Colonial Theatre, dedicated to moving pictures, in January 1910 and reopened on 2 May, screening continuously from 11 am to 11 pm.