The Columbo Group has acquired the historic 30,000 sq ft Rex Theatre in Stratford from Newham Council for an undisclosed price.
Located on Stratford High Street, the Rex Theatre originally opened in 1896 as an art deco theatre and opera house and has since operated as a cinema, bingo hall, nightclub and trampoline park.
The Columbo Group will undertake a £15m refurbishment to transform the historic venue into a flagship music venue called Jazz Café presents The Rex. The venue, which will have a capacity of 2,300, is due to open in late 2027.
Steve Ball, founder of The Columbo Group, said: “East London remains a thriving location for arts and culture, and we are excited to bring world-class performances and club nights to Stratford. With live music venues under continued strain, we look forward to resurrecting the Rex Theatre and continuing its legacy as one of the capital’s most beloved cultural institutions.”
Thomas Rose, co-founder of P-Three, added: “We are honoured to facilitate a new lease of life for the Rex Theatre, working on behalf of Newham Council to secure The Columbo Group to regenerate an East London landmark. The Columbo Group has extensive experience developing culturally relevant destinations – under their ownership, we are confident that the theatre’s long-term legacy will be protected and look forward to watching it reemerge as one of east London’s most exciting places to be.”
The Columbo Group was represented by Found Agency.
