The property that has been the home to the Roseland Cabaret nightclub and the Roseland Theatre is now under the ownership of MacGillivray Properties, who plan to turn part of it into their downtown headquarters as well as potential rental properties.
“It’s a big undertaking and there’s probably nobody around that could do it, except for Jamie (MacGillivray),” Donald Clarke, property development co-ordinator for MacGillivray Properties, said.
Significant roof problems closed the Roseland Cabaret in late October, with the building’s owner deciding to sell it shortly after.
“It’s a positive thing that the new owner bought it,” Spyro Kouyas said, adding that he thinks it will be good for the Town of New Glasgow.
He said they were no longer engaged in the business, and “things come and go,” noting that it’s been used for many purposes over the years.
Raymond Pentz took over operation of the nightclub in the spring, but wasn’t able to reopen it until after the Utility and Review Board made a decision regarding its hours.
There were concerns expressed about the 4 a.m. closure time of the bar with the UARB issuing its decision in August. The hours were amended, and the bar was reopened later that month.
There are now few traces left to show that it was a nightclub, having been under construction by MacGillivray’s crew for the past two weeks.
There’s even less proof that the building used to be a theatre, the spot where Viola Desmond once refused to leave the “whites-only” area in 1946.
It’s not hard for Clarke to reflect on that time period, however, noting that his mother worked at the theatre when she was a teenager in the late 1940s, early 1950s era.
He notes the only area that still resembles the theatre is the front of the building, where the candy and ticket counter would have been. It has also housed apartments, with Clarke noting that he visited one of them as a kid.
Right now, the building is in the process of being gutted, with crews planning on bringing machinery in to fix the roof.
“I can’t wait to get it to the point where we’re working out of here….”
Clarke said the building came to them at a perfect time, with the company looking for office space.
He said they plan to bring it “back to its former glory” and replace windows that have been previously boarded up or covered in brick, as well as restoring the façade with a glass storefront.
“It’ll be a showpiece when we’re done, no doubt about it.”
A history of the Roseland
1913 – The Roseland Theatre was built by John D. Grant, who later became New Glasgow’s mayor. The first owner was Harry MacNeil.
1929 – Originally constructed for silent films, the Roseland was renovated and updated for sound.
1946 – Viola Desmond was arrested at the Roseland Theatre for sitting in a whites-only section.
Mid to late 1900s – The Roseland Theatre became part of the Odeon Cinemas chain.
Early 2000s – The Roseland Cabaret opened.
2011 – The cabaret was temporarily closed for renovations.
2015 – The cabaret business, but not the building, was sold to Raymond Pentz.
2015 – The building was sold to MacGillivray Properties.
The property that has been the home to the Roseland Cabaret nightclub and the Roseland Theatre is now under the ownership of MacGillivray Properties, who plan to turn part of it into their downtown headquarters as well as potential rental properties.
“It’s a big undertaking and there’s probably nobody around that could do it, except for Jamie (MacGillivray),” Donald Clarke, property development co-ordinator for MacGillivray Properties, said.
Significant roof problems closed the Roseland Cabaret in late October, with the building’s owner deciding to sell it shortly after.
“It’s a positive thing that the new owner bought it,” Spyro Kouyas said, adding that he thinks it will be good for the Town of New Glasgow.
He said they were no longer engaged in the business, and “things come and go,” noting that it’s been used for many purposes over the years.
Raymond Pentz took over operation of the nightclub in the spring, but wasn’t able to reopen it until after the Utility and Review Board made a decision regarding its hours.
There were concerns expressed about the 4 a.m. closure time of the bar with the UARB issuing its decision in August. The hours were amended, and the bar was reopened later that month.
There are now few traces left to show that it was a nightclub, having been under construction by MacGillivray’s crew for the past two weeks.
There’s even less proof that the building used to be a theatre, the spot where Viola Desmond once refused to leave the “whites-only” area in 1946.
It’s not hard for Clarke to reflect on that time period, however, noting that his mother worked at the theatre when she was a teenager in the late 1940s, early 1950s era.
He notes the only area that still resembles the theatre is the front of the building, where the candy and ticket counter would have been. It has also housed apartments, with Clarke noting that he visited one of them as a kid.
Right now, the building is in the process of being gutted, with crews planning on bringing machinery in to fix the roof.
“I can’t wait to get it to the point where we’re working out of here….”
Clarke said the building came to them at a perfect time, with the company looking for office space.
He said they plan to bring it “back to its former glory” and replace windows that have been previously boarded up or covered in brick, as well as restoring the façade with a glass storefront.
“It’ll be a showpiece when we’re done, no doubt about it.”
A history of the Roseland
1913 – The Roseland Theatre was built by John D. Grant, who later became New Glasgow’s mayor. The first owner was Harry MacNeil.
1929 – Originally constructed for silent films, the Roseland was renovated and updated for sound.
1946 – Viola Desmond was arrested at the Roseland Theatre for sitting in a whites-only section.
Mid to late 1900s – The Roseland Theatre became part of the Odeon Cinemas chain.
Early 2000s – The Roseland Cabaret opened.
2011 – The cabaret was temporarily closed for renovations.
2015 – The cabaret business, but not the building, was sold to Raymond Pentz.
2015 – The building was sold to MacGillivray Properties.
