Villa Marina, Isle of Man
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| Address | Unit 8, Villa Marina Arcade, Harris Promenade, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2HJ |
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| Owner | Isle of Man Government |
| Capacity | 1500 seated. |
| Current use | Fully operational entertainment venue with a year-round programme of shows |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 19 July 1913 |
| Rebuilt | 2001-2004 (major restoration) |
| Architect | Alban Jones |
| Website | |
| Villa Gaiety | |
The Villa Marina is an entertainment venue in Douglas, Isle of Man which forms part of the wider Villa-Gaiety complex. It is located on Harris Promenade looking out onto Douglas Bay and comprises the Royal Hall, Broadway Cinema, Promenade Suite, Dragon's Castle and the Colonaide Gardens. The architect was Alban Jones, whose design was chosen in an open competition judged by Professor Adshead of Liverpool University.
The Villa Marina and surrounding grounds were originally an Estate owned by George Steuart, who acquired the land in 1806. Following George Steuart's death the Estate passed to his son, Colonel Robert Steuart, Receiver General of the Isle of Man and Customs Collector for the Port of Douglas. The Estate was made up of approximately 7 acres and consisted of the Mansion House and offices, walled gardens, lawns, plantations and a flower garden. In addition there was a conservatory and hot house which contained tropical plants. The Mansion House had a virandah and comprised a drawing room, dining room, two libraries, a large hall and fifteen bedrooms. In addition there were kitchens, servant's hall, pantries, two cellars, a wash house and a brew house. Outside there was a four-stalled stable, a coach house with accommodation for three carriages, a harness room, a granary, a farm stable and piggery. The Villa Marina Estate also had a gardener's lodge.
Colonel Steuart died, aged 65, on 15 November 1832, following which the entirety of the Estate was offered for sale by auction.
The Mansion House and surrounds were bought by Joseph Dunn, uncle of two ladies, Frances and Eliza Dutton, referred to as the Misses Dutton, and was subsequently converted into a Seminary Boarding School under the governorship of the Misses Dutton who moved the seminary from nearby Athol Street at the start of 1834. Joseph Dunn passed away in 1845, after which some of the land on the west of the Estate was sold to John Crellin for development resulting in the creation of the residential area of Derby Square. In the Spring of 1854 the Villa Marina Estate was again placed on the market with the Seminar Boarding School to vacate on the agreement of sale.
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Wikipedia