Walk past the eastern end of Kuala Lumpur’s famous Petaling Street before heading north, and you might notice a rare sight.
Instead of crumbling pre-war shoplots or yet another garish shopping complex, a giant leafy façade greets you.
Were it not for the artsy graffiti or the hip, young visitors enjoying a shot of caffeine at Stellar Coffee, it would be too easy to mistake the verdant vines and branches as a derelict, overgrown area.
But look a little closer and you’ll see one of Kuala Lumpur’s creative and gastronomic gems – REXKL.
First built in 1947 as the Rex Cinema, the complex once offered the latest and greatest silver screen magic of the day with its single-screen theater. Sadly, after a rollercoaster series of closures, renovations and even multiple fires, the building was destined to fade into obscurity as a ruin or redevelopment.
Luckily, thanks to the efforts of architect duo Shin Chang and Shin Tseng and a collective of visionary partners and tenants, Rex Cinema was transformed amidst the pandemic lockdowns of 2019 into a commercial, cultural and creative space dubbed REXKL.
Within the three floors of REXKL – lovingly preserved yet tastefully renovated – a motley selection of classy cafes, rustic restaurants and experimental bars mingle with hangout spots and event spaces.
Besides the ubiquitous bookworm haunt BookXcess and its spellbinding maze of 80,000 books and cabinets, there’s a whole smorgasbord of familiar and eclectic culinary offerings at Food Fiction.
Start with some of New York slices at Phil’s Pizza, then explore Sarawakian cuisine at Kantin before finally enjoying a scoop of ice cream at Licky Chan & the Poke Guy while you get a cool new tattoo!
While offering corporeal culinary distractions, REXKL also plays host to a variety of stimulating cultural activities like concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, talks and even markets that help breathe life back into the once bustling area with lively crowds.
Although REXKL sticks close to its roots, particularly with its original tiled walls, stairs and even the impressive balcony looking out into the old cinema hall at BookXcess, it has also chosen to put its own spin on the spirit of entertainment.
Rather than stick to its origins as a cinema, it has transformed itself into another form of entertainment – one of lepak nights with friends at a restaurant, live performances or even enlightening exhibitions. In its own way, REXKL has enacted a mini-renaissance in its own little slice of Kuala Lumpur.
From a once-forgotten theatre long past its heyday, REXKL has been reborn from the ashes into a stunning success story of urban renewal, showing just how an appreciation for heritage and the arts (along with some good old-fashioned hard work) can inject new life into KL’s old quarters.
REXKL may still be young compared to its counterparts in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Thailand, but judging by a steady stream of young visitors and rave reviews by travellers both near and far, there’s still plenty of room yet to grow for this homegrown bohemian upstart.
