It seemed to be game over.

Earlier this week, the future of the historic Metro-Minerva Theatre in Sydney’s Potts Point appeared to have been decided when the City of Sydney’s Central Sydney Planning Committee gave conditional consent to property developer Central Element to turn the Orwell St landmark into a 63-room boutique hotel featuring a basement 250-seat cabaret venue.

But the development green light turned yellow again at a mid-week meeting in which concerns were raised regarding additions to the height of the proposed development and its potential noise impacts.

The panel also heard from those opposed to the loss of the building to the cultural sector. Many in the community want to see the building restored to an 800 to 1000-seat theatre venue.

The Minerva-Metro, Potts Point.

Built in 1939, the Minerva was masterminded by the Tivoli circuit impresario David N. Martin and live shows were staged there until 1950, when MGM converted it into the Metro Theatre. Live theatre returned to the Metro in 1969, when Harry M Miller installed the Australian production of Hair in the venue. The building was later acquired by Kennedy Miller Mitchell Productions and served as...