By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, A monumental shift in the landscape of East London’s nightlife is on the horizon as plans have been finalized to transform the historic Rex building into a massive 2,300-capacity cultural powerhouse. Slated for a grand opening in 2027, the venue is being reimagined as "Jazz Café East," a move that promises to restore one of the capital’s most storied addresses to its former glory. This ambitious project is the latest venture from The Colombo Group, the seasoned operators behind some of London’s most influential musical institutions, including the original Jazz Café in Camden, the Brixton-based club Phonox, and the increasingly popular Maiden Voyage Festival.
The redevelopment of the site, located in the heart of Stratford, marks a significant milestone in Newham Council’s broader strategy to establish the area as a primary entertainment hub. For years, the 40,000-square-foot property at 361-373 High Street sat in a state of flux, its grand Victorian facade masking a silent interior. Now, with the backing of the local government and a major private operator, the building is set to become a focal point for a "wide range of artists," bridging the gap between historical preservation and modern cultural consumption.
The history of the building is as eclectic as the music it is expected to host. Originally constructed in 1896, the structure began its life as a theatre and opera house, catering to the Victorian appetite for grand stage performances. As the 20th century progressed and entertainment tastes shifted, it was converted into a cinema in 1933. It survived the Blitz and continued to serve as a local cinema well into the post-war era, finally ceasing film screenings in 1969. Like many grand buildings of its era, it then transitioned through various uses, serving as a bingo hall before finding its most culturally resonant identity in the 1990s as a nightclub.
During that decade, the Stratford Rex became synonymous with the explosion of the UK’s electronic music scene. It was a cathedral for the rave movement, hosting legendary nights that helped define the genres of jungle, drum and bass, and garage. It was a space where the raw energy of the underground met the scale of a major venue, creating an atmosphere that is still spoken of with reverence by those who frequented it. However, the venue’s fortunes eventually waned, and it closed its doors in 2011. Following its closure, the building entered a period of uncertainty. Newham Council took ownership in 2013, primarily to prevent the site from falling into total disrepair, utilizing it as a "meanwhile" space for offices and a café while seeking a long-term partner capable of managing its immense scale.
Steve Ball, the CEO of The Colombo Group, expressed a deep sense of responsibility regarding the site’s heritage. In a statement following the announcement, Ball noted that The Rex is an integral part of London’s musical DNA. He emphasized that the opportunity to breathe life back into such a significant space while expanding the group’s portfolio was a rare privilege. The Colombo Group’s involvement is seen by many industry analysts as a vote of confidence in the physical nightlife sector, which has faced significant headwinds in recent years due to rising costs and changing consumer habits. By doubling down on a venue with a 2,300-person capacity, the group is betting on the continued demand for large-scale, high-quality live music experiences.
The political impetus behind the project is equally strong. Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, the Mayor of Newham, has championed the venue as a cornerstone of the "Building Newham’s Creative Future" strategy. According to Fiaz, Jazz Café East is more than just a nightclub; it is an economic engine that will bring jobs, investment, and "world-class entertainment" to the doorsteps of local residents. The Mayor’s vision is part of a larger initiative titled "Building a Fairer Newham," which seeks to ensure that the rapid development of Stratford benefits the existing community through the creation of sustainable cultural infrastructure.
"Businesses are waking up to see all that the borough and its people have to offer," Fiaz remarked, highlighting the shift in perception regarding East London’s creative potential. The collaboration with The Colombo Group is intended to demonstrate that Stratford can compete with the West End and South Bank as a premier destination for the arts.
The revival of The Rex is not happening in isolation. It is part of a coordinated cultural investment in the immediate vicinity. Newham Council recently confirmed a £2.9 million injection from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will be used to transform the North Block of Alice Billing House into affordable studios for artists. Located just a short distance from the new venue, Alice Billing House will provide the "backstage" infrastructure for the borough’s creative economy. The project will include rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and practice spaces, alongside a public café, a gallery, and a courtyard. This ecosystem is designed to support artists at every stage of their careers, from creation and rehearsal at Alice Billing House to performance on the grand stage of Jazz Café East.
The cultural significance of the Stratford Rex has also been the subject of recent historical reflection. The 2024 publication of STEP IN TIME: Conversations with Kenny ‘Sting’ King has brought the venue’s rave-era legacy back into the public consciousness. The book serves as a first-hand chronicle of the 1990s rave scene through the eyes of Kenny ‘Sting’ King, a prolific promoter and member of the influential Deja Vu FM, who once owned The Rex. His stories paint a picture of a venue that was at the heart of a grassroots musical revolution, providing a platform for sounds that were often ignored by the mainstream media of the time.
Further cementing its place in local history, the venue is a featured subject in "Sound Waves: Music In Newham," an online archive and project that celebrates six decades of musical innovation in the borough. These projects highlight the fact that while the building has been quiet for over a decade, its influence has never truly disappeared from the collective memory of London’s music fans.
The transition to Jazz Café East represents a sophisticated evolution of the brand. The original Jazz Café in Camden is world-renowned for its intimate atmosphere and its ability to attract legendary jazz, soul, and hip-hop artists. Translating that brand to a 2,300-capacity venue in Stratford suggests a more expansive programming philosophy. While jazz will likely remain a core element, the sheer size of the space allows for major international touring acts, large-scale electronic events, and diverse multi-genre showcases.
As Stratford continues its post-2012 Olympic transformation, the arrival of Jazz Café East fits into a landscape that now includes the V&A East, the BBC Music Studios, and the Sadlers Wells East dance theatre. This cluster of high-profile institutions is turning the area into one of the most densely packed cultural quarters in Europe. For the residents of Newham, the promise of 2027 is one of revitalization—a chance to see a local landmark shed its "abandoned" label and once again become a beacon of light, sound, and community in the heart of the East End.
The journey from a Victorian opera house to a 21st-century "Jazz Café" reflects the resilience of London’s built environment. Despite the pressures of property development and the challenges of the night-time economy, the survival of The Rex proves that heritage and modern entertainment are not mutually exclusive. When the doors finally open in 2027, it will not just be a new business opening its doors; it will be the return of a legend, redesigned for a new generation of music lovers.