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Columbo Group Acquires The Rex in East London
London-based operator The Columbo Group has announced the acquisition of The Rex, a 2,300-capacity music venue in Stratford, East London.
The company, whose portfolio includes The Jazz Cafe, Phonox and Maiden Voyage Festival, plans to invest £15 million in a comprehensive transformation of the site. The venue is scheduled to reopen in late 2027.
According to the company, the redevelopment will establish a new flagship venue for East London, designed to support a broad range of artists and deliver an enhanced audience experience. The project forms part of the group’s ongoing investment in London’s live music infrastructure.
Built in 1896, The Rex was originally a theatre and opera house, but turned into a cinema in 1933. Post-war, films continued to be shown until 1969, before the address became a bingo hall and nightclub, becoming a regular electronic music venue in the 1990s until its final closure in 2011.
Abandoned for years, Newham Council took ownership in 2013 and used the building as a meanwhile office and café space through to 2023, although the 40,000 square foot property has been up for sale since 2015.
Steve Ball, CEO of The Columbo Group, said: “The Rex has been part of London’s musical heritage, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity both to breathe life back into it and to grow our portfolio of spaces.”
Once completed, The Rex is expected to become a significant cultural destination in East London, contributing to Stratford’s continued development as an entertainment hub. Further details regarding design, programming and community initiatives will be announced in the coming months.