When Wollongong property developer John Comelli sold his beloved Anita's Theatre in 2011 to pay off debts, he told the media he had spent $6 million on the fit-out.

With its ornate light fittings, detailed wall and ceiling paintings, plush furnishings and bespoke mosaic tiling on the foyer's pillars, the expense shows.

"It's just absolutely incredible detail that you can't replicate — he was obviously quite a visionary to be able to do that and pull it all together to deliver this magnificent theatre for the people of the Illawarra," venue manager Bob Mangan said.

"Every fixture, every fitting that was selected was chosen for a reason, and it was high-end as well — the taps and the mirrors in the bathrooms make it one of the most Instagrammable toilets in Australia.

"We pinch ourselves

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