Construction begins on The Regal in Highams Park

Eagle‑eyed residents will have seen construction works begin at the start of this year on the part‑two, part‑six‑storey building. The development will feature a two‑screen cinema, 33 homes, the retention and restoration of the historic street‑front façade, and a café bar at ground‑floor level. 

Owned by Mammoth Capital, a privately owned developer and construction company, the site is now taking shape and is expected to complete in autumn 2027. 

Construction has begun following years of planning and resident feedback, which has helped shape the development and revive this historic building. 

Cllr Rosalind Doré, Cabinet Member for Culture, Libraries, Sport and Leisure, said: 

We are thrilled that works have begun on The Regal, a local landmark for many Highams Parkers. There continues to be strong interest from cinema operators in opening a new cinema in Highams Park. The site owner will be responsible for marketing the space and agreeing the lease with a cinema operator, with the council assisting by promoting the opportunity to interested operators and securing the best offer for Highams Park residents and the town centre.

Cllr Ahsan Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: 

Part of our role as a council is to help bring forward private development, and we’re proud to have facilitated Mammoth Capital in reviving this building by creating new homes, as well as a new two‑screen cinema for Highams Park’s town centre that will also create job opportunities for residents. 

Baljeet, Chima, Managing Director, Mammoth Capital said: We thank everyone in Waltham Forest in bringing back the Regal for Highams Park. It’s thoughtfully designed scheme that combines modern living with local character. The high-quality apartments have already seen strong demand from buyers, highlighting both the appeal of the homes and the growing popularity of beloved Highams Park.

The Highams Park Electric Theatre first opened on Saturday 1 April 1911. Designed by architect W.A. Lewis, it originally had a seating capacity of 550. It was renamed the Regal Cinema in 1928, and the building was improved in 1933. 

In 1935, it was partly rebuilt to designs by the architectural firm Howes and Jackman. It received a new modern Art Deco façade and entrance foyer. A café was added in the circle foyer, and a Rutt 3‑Manual/6‑Ranks organ was installed in the modernised and enlarged auditorium, which now seated 615. The Regal Cinema reopened on Saturday 23 September 1935. 

Always independently operated, the Regal Cinema closed on Wednesday 11 September 1963. Since then, it has been used as a bingo hall, snooker hall, and occasionally as a venue for film screenings. 

Follow Mammoth Capital on Instagram for construction updates on The Regal.