KL’s Iconic 83-Year-Old Odeon Cinema Will Be Demolished For Service Apartment Project

If you’ve been to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman before, you’ll notice a building that probably stands out a little more amongst the concrete jungle in Kuala Lumpur due to its Art Deco architecture.

The building in question is the iconic Odeon Cinema, which first opened its doors in 1936.

But it seems like the curtains are closing soon for the cinema to make way for a new high-rise project.

According to The Star, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has approved for a retail and service-apartment project to take place on the site, which means that the Odeon will soon be demolished.

We can hear hearts breaking after that line but fret not, because part of the building will be maintained in the new project.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said that a portion of the building’s facade would be integrated into the development.

“There was a request that part of the building’s facade with the architectural features be maintained in the new design,” Nor Hisham said.

“We cannot stop the development as it is a private building.”

Odeon during it prime days. Look at the cars!

Two towers of retail and serviced apartment will take Odeon cinema’s place, with units ranging from 450-850sq ft and starting from RM450,000 onwards.

Odeon originally housed Bangsawan theatre performances but later on started showing films. It was also the premiere location for high-profile films such as ‘Bukit Kepong’. It closed down in 2015.

The building is one of the few remaining Art Deco-style buildings in Kuala Lumpur.

Change is inevitable, so goodbye Odeon. We’re sure the older generation had plenty of great memories at this cinema.