The Corso, Manly
The Corso | |
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The Corso, 2013 | |
Coordinates |
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General information | |
Type | Street |
Length | 450 m (0.3 mi)[1] |
Major junctions | |
Southwest end | Belgrave Street Manly, Sydney |
Northeast end | North Steyne South Steyne Manly, Sydney |
The Corso is one of the main streets and a
History
There has long been a track between Manly Cove and Ocean Beach, worn by the local
In the 1880s most commercial activities were centred on the Corso with many families living above their businesses. Entertainment was added including an Aquarium and later, 'Sovereign' Smith's Gallery of Amusements. The first large general store White Brothers opened in 1907 and later became Campbell's General Merchants, a Corso landmark for many years.
By the 1920s the Corso was the main shopping precinct of the Northern Beaches. The Rialto Theatre opened on 23 July 1923 and was renamed to Odeon on 3 March 1951 operated until its closure on 28 January 1961.[3] St Matthew's church along with the Victoria Hall next door was demolished in 1929 to make way the widening of the Corso. The new St Matthew's opened on 20 September 1930.[4]
During the 1950s, The Corso was anchored by Woolworths, Coles, Campbell's, Cooper's, Little's, McIlrath's, Buckingham's, Snow's and HG Palmer's. In 1961 The Mall which was walk-through two-storey shopping centre opened on the site of the former Odeon and was renamed to La Gallerie in 1989.[5]
With the opening of Warringah Mall, an American-style shopping centre in 1963 in the suburb of Brookvale saw The Corso shops declined. Many stores including Campbell's, Cooper's, Little's, McIlrath's, Buckingham's, Snow's, HG Palmer's and Woolworths closed. By 2008 only Coles remains as the sole anchor tenant. Surf brand Billabong and The Boardrider Backpacker opened in 2003 on the former site of Woolworths.[6][7]
The Corso was partially returned to a pedestrian street in the 1970s. Its ocean-side intersection marks the boundary between the
Redevelopment
In 2007 Manly Council lodged an $8 million upgrade of The Corso. Vibrant lighting, water fountains, tree plantings, fresh new street furniture palettes, new tiles and the removal of an amphitheatre have been installed at The Corso.
Shopping centres
Three shopping centres and arcades are located on or close to The Corso:
- La Gallerie - Opened in 1961 as The Mall and renamed in 1989 as La Gallerie
- Henry Roth Arcade - Named after Henry Ling Roth
- Pacific Point Arcade - Located on Sydney Road near The Corso. Originally opened as a cinema called Britannia in 1916 renamed to New Olympic in honour of Boy Charlton, Dick Eve and Nick Winter, gold medallists in 1924 at the Paris Olympics. The building became into a furniture store in 1936. Waltons Ltd bought the site and opened their furniture and home appliances store on 3 December 1954. In the 1970s the building was converted into offices and an auction room with the shops and arcade linking Sydney Road with Henrietta Lane opened in 1983.
Gallery
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The Corso in 2011
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The Corso facing Manly Beach
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The amphitheatre at The Corso prior to its removal in the 2007 redevelopment
See also
References
- ^ Google (19 June 2023). "The Corso" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "Manly Corso - Manly & Northern Beaches Australia". www.manlyaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Odeon Manly in Sydney, AU - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "The gospel of St Matthew's". Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Perfect place for relaxing". Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "The Corso Heritage Walk" (PDF). Aurora Shore. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Heritage Walk - Manly & Northern Beaches Australia". www.manlyaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ MacRitchie, John. "The Corso". Dictionary of Sydney. Retrieved 2 July 2014.