Save Rex Cinema Penang: Why this heritage building should not be demolished

Rex Penang, an art deco building in George Town, Penang, should be conserved, according to Badan Warisan

Long before streaming, VCRs and DVDs, going to the cinema was a treat, and the buildings that housed movie theatres had grand names. Odeon, which denotes a singing place in Greek, was a popular one, and Capitol, named after the ancient temple of Jupiter in Rome, was another.

Rex, which means "king" in Latin, was widely used and could be found across Malaysia from Alor Setar to Kota Bahru.

Many of these buildings featured the prevailing architectural style of their time, with the older ones, like Coliseum in Kuala Lumpur, favouring the art deco style. As cineplexes took over the role that cinemas once ruled, many buildings became repurposed with varying success. One inspiring success story is RexKL, which has become a vibrant arts and culture hub in Petaling Street and is a fitting homage to the historic venue.

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Above Buildings in the shape of ocean liners like Rex Penang was an art deco hallmark (Photo: Azrul K. Abdullah)

Recently, the fate of Rex Cinema Penang was highlighted as Penang Island City Hall (MBPP) approved the instruction of its demolition to make way for a 27-storey condominium project. The building itself is not protected because it does not fall within the Unesco boundaries. However, Badan Warisan feels differently about this historical building.

"This 84-year-old art deco cinema possesses architectural, social, cultural and heritage significance 'not only for Penangites but for all Malaysians. It is imperative that we conserve and protect Rex Cinema for future generations to enjoy," states Lim Wei-Ling, president of Badan Warisan Malaysia Council 2023.

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Above The stepped facade (Photo: Azrul K. Abdullah)

In the same press statement, Lim also brought up the recent demolition of Clove Hall residence, which is in proximity to Rex Cinema, as another "irreplaceable loss of a historic piece of architecture of the island". Like the Rex cinema, Clove Hall residence was located outside Unesco boundaries and therefore, not protected. However, the backlash from Clove Hall residence was the "mayor of city council of Penang Island saying that flaws in the 2030 draft Penang Island local plan will be rectified, as reported in the media on January 5, 2023."

The flaw is that buildings may be inventorised by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) if a building fell outside the boundaries of the World Heritage site, it would be up to MBPP to gazette it for preservation as a Category II heritage building, which meant that it was important but privately owned.

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Above Rex Penang before and after the furniture shop took over (Photo: The Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project / Timothy Tye)

Rex Cinema's art deco credentials are apparent from its exterior, which was finished in Shanghai plaster, a dull, grey, gravelly finish often found on art deco style buildings in Asia of that era. The form, which recalls the great ocean liners of the period, is another hallmark of art deco, as were vertical and horizontal "ribbing" throughout the building and its metal-frame windows.

Inside, even though the building was later repurposed as a furniture store, beautiful details such as stylised, stepped ornamentation can still be found, as well as its original mosaic-clad pillars.

Lim sums it up: "Preserving only the facade will not be enough. The Rex Cinema was built with significant interior art deco features and details, which should be maintained. Art deco architecture is much appreciated and celebrated all over the world. It is this unique heritage that makes Penang one of the most significant places to visit in Malaysia."

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Georgetown Penang Cinema Designinspo Rex Art Deco Heritage Building

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Rex Penang: Why this art deco cinema should not be demolished