The Majestic Cinema was one of Africa's first cinemas when first constructed in 1921, initially named The Royal. This original building was designed by Scottish architect John Sinclair, who was also the British Consul stationed in Zanzibar. His design sampled Moroccan elements in a style referred to as 'Saracenism'. Although somewhat contrived, it is not unlike Stone Town's eclectic heritage, which has Indian and Omani roots as well as local African. In 1938, its name was changed to the Majestic Cinema. A fire in 1953 destroyed the cinema, leading to a reconstruction which can be seen today. This later design, attributed to architect Dayaliji Pitamber Sanchania, follows an Art Deco aesthetic, with its sweeping horizontal lines and vertical fins.
Aside from the cinema's historical and architectural value, it also thrived as a community meeting space.
The Majestic Cinema (Stone Town): Once Zanzibar's premier theater, the historic Majestic Cinema is undergoing a major rehabilitation project. Backed by UNESCO, it is being revitalized into a modern cultural hub and event space rather than a traditional daily movie theater, primarily serving festivals like the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
The Construction Management Plan (CMP) developed for the Majestic Cinema, made available to ArchDaily, emphasizes its important communal role. It notes how attending screenings became very popular soon after the establishment of the first cinemas in Zanzibar, partly due to the lack of alternative venues for social gatherings. "Cinemas provided a rare opportunity for people of various ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages to meet in one space. For the community, going to the cinema meant more than just watching a movie. It had a profound impact on its social and cultural life. Movies provided people with subjects for debates, influenced fashion, played an educational role, and were generally seen as a window to the wider world."
Within the city, the Stone Town Conservation and Heritage Plan marks the Majestic Cinema as Grade II listed. This is defined as having high historical, architectural, or cultural significance, and there are strict restrictions on alterations without approval from the authorities.
The Majestic Cinema remains a government building after cinemas were nationalized during the 1980s economic crisis. In 2024, it was leased to Hifadhi Zanzibar, a heritage management company tasked with restoring and managing the cinema. The strategy of 'preservation through transformation' is intended to convert the cinema building into the Majestic Culture Hub. This retains the original cinema use of the building and its inclusive traditions, but to ensure its sustainability, it will include additional uses such as offices for the project partners and a cafe or restaurant.
The ambitious project received international funding and is planned to be implemented in phases, with completion expected in 2026
https://www.archdaily.com/1033717/from-ruin-to-cultural-hub-the-transformation-of-zanzibars-majestic-cinema
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-partners-launch-majestic-cinema-rehabilitation-zanzibar-foster-socio-economic-development
The Majestic Cinema opened its doors on October, 20 1955. The Art Deco building was designed by a local architect Dayalji Pitamber Sachania and commissioned by one of Zanzibar’s cinema entrepreneurs Hassanlai Hameer Hasham after the old cinema went down in flames on February, 8 1954. The previous building, originally called the Royal Cinema, was the first luxurious cinema in East Africa. It was opened by Hassanali Adamjee Jariwalla and designed by J.H. Sinclair, the British Resident and architect of buildings such as the Post Office and the Peace Memorial Museum in Zanzibar.
Majestic the name says it all….
When built the Majestic Cinema had a panoramic projection screen and stereophonic sound system and seating for 750 people ,including a large steep balcony for 200 people .In addition to housing the cinema ,the building also housed at various moments in time; a restaurant, a canteen selling popcorn ,sodas ,past tries and other nibbles, offices of Air Tanzania and a hotel called Pigalle. Today the building in addition to being used as a cinema hall is also used for offices by the state University Of Zanzibar. Ticket offices were originally located both at front and at rear of the cinema ,where there is now an additional building housing a small restaurant and offices.
The majestic Cinema is managed by Abdullhussein Marashi who has been working in the Cinema since 1982 taking over from his father Mr Marashi has been keeping the cinema alive for the past four decades by playing movies for small group of loyal movie fans. He also runs the restaurant at the rare building
https://majestichub.co.tz/majestic-cinema/
