[1] In June 1929 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers' Advocate reported that "negotiations have practically been completed for the purchase of a suitable site in George Street...owned by Mr. L. Jack...at present occupied by two two-storey houses and a cottage" for the construction of a theatre designed especially for the "Talkies".

[2][1] The opening on 6 February 1930 was "an event of considerable social importance" with "a packed audience and an interested crowd of several thousands in the street opposite the brilliantly-illuminated entrance".

[1] In 1974 sale of the theatre by Hoyts was proposed and with an unsure future, the site was classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) as an important example of a suburban picture palace.

[1] Photographs in the National Library collection show the Prime Minister Gough Whitlam at the re-opening of the Roxy in 1976 with a capacity crowd, night lighting and the planting of a special tree in a tub.

Renamed "The Roxy", the hotel provided a bar with access to the courtyard, a venue to view live entertainment and to hold functions in a contemporary atmosphere within an elegant and historical setting.

[16] Plans to redevelop the site and demolish the original structure to accommodate a large residential tower were not approved by Parramatta Council in 2018 and the matter was referred to the Land and Environment Court.

[1] The main foyer opens directly off the external staircase via a set of timber-framed and glazed doors and comprises a double-height space symmetrically laid out with stairs rising to either side of a central mezzanine/balcony.

The foyer retains most of its original layout and character with stuccoed walls, arched openings and vaulted roof to the mezzanine and a "Spanish" style ceiling of panelled and painted timber.

[1] The original main auditorium features extensive plasterwork decoration including arched windows, false balconies and door case along the side walls and a large central dome in the ceiling.

[1] The fabric of the theatre includes brick interior and exterior, terracotta floor and roof tiles, painted timber, wrought iron and moulded plaster decoration inside.

[1] The Roxy Theatre has high cultural significance as a good and relatively intact representative example of the "Picture Palaces" of the interwar period, its overall form and surviving original fitout and fabric displaying the major attributes of this building type.

Its architectural character and function have been influenced by both national and international developments in film technology and theatre visitation since the adventure of the "Talkies"—ranging from large single auditorium regularly seating nearly 2000 to the present multi-theatre configuration.

It is an attractive and distinctive local landmark and particularly valued by the regular theatre-goers of its early years and those interested in movie and architectural history (its retention in the 1970s being in large measure due to intervention by such groups).

Its architectural character and function have been influenced by both national and international developments in film technology, theatre design and theatre-going patterns since the advent of talking pictures in the 1920s.

The building's subsequent history and changes—including declining popularity to the point of proposed demolition and more recent conversion into a multi-theatre complex retailing selected "nostalgic" features—reflects the full gamut of change in Australian film going over the past 67 years.

The size and architectural character of the building also provide evidence of the economic, profitability of picture theatre development of the day with its large audiences and regular patterns of attendance.

The opening of the building was a notable event with local and state politicians attending, huge crowds and special greetings by leading Hollywood actors of the day.

The theatre is an outstanding representative example of the "Picture Palaces" of the interwar period, its overall form and surviving original fitout and fabric displaying the major attributes—physical and functional - of this particular "phenomenon".

The building's decorative treatment is a notable and creatively rich example of Spanish Mission forms and features and though judged in its day as a relatively refined one avoiding the "gaudy and garish of contemporary examples" it is today "probably one of the most, if not opulent or richly designed suburban picture palace in Australia...complete with no tell-tale austere corners...spacious and well furnished and the auditorium itself, particularly with the original light fittings, (Christie organ and air-conditioning) rivalling most of the city centre cinemas" in its day.

[1] The building is also a notable local landmark, its overall massing with striking tower and set back from the street with flanking arcaded wings and richly decorative detailing contributing to its significance streetscape role.