Cinema Rex: Faded Glamour

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Cinema Rex, right across from Ghent’s main train station, first opened its doors in 1933. Designed by local architect Geo Henderick, it was inspired by the Grand Rex in Paris, featuring a stunning Moorish-style interior. The highlight? A ceiling that looked like a night sky, complete with twinkling stars and drifting clouds—pretty magical for a movie theater.

Over the years, the place changed a lot. In the 1950s, much of its original charm was stripped away in a modernization effort. Then, in 1985, it shut down and later became the Capitole Casino in the ‘90s. By the mid-2000s, it was completely abandoned, slowly falling apart.

Now, there’s hope for a revival. The city of Ghent bought Cinema Rex and the neighboring building for 1.7 million euros, with plans to turn it into a “House of Cinema.” A three-year, 5-million-euro renovation project aims to breathe new life into the area, making it a cultural hub. The timing is perfect too—Ghent is vying for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2030.

Before renovations kick off, I got the chance to step inside and capture the building’s current state. Once a glamorous hotspot, now a faded beauty with plenty of work ahead…

​Ghent, Belgium