Key Points
- The former Odeon Cinema on George Street, Oxford, has been completely demolished.
- Archaeological checks are due before foundations are laid for the 145-unit Wilde Oxford aparthotel.
- Watkin Jones Group is leading construction for Marick Real Estate.
- A 400-square-metre community space is planned in partnership with Makespace Oxfordshire.
- Gloucester Green market and surrounding businesses are expected to remain open during construction.
- The new building may be completed in late 2027, while Wilde Oxford is listed as opening in 2027.
Oxford (Oxford Daily) November 12, 2026 – The demolition of the former Odeon Cinema on George Street has been completed, marking a new phase in plans for the Wilde Oxford aparthotel. Contractors are expected to carry out checks for archaeological remains before foundations are installed. Oxford City Council approved Marick Real Estate’s plans for a 145-unit aparthotel, with Watkin Jones Group appointed as construction partner. The project is next to Gloucester Green market and the Old Fire Station arts centre.
What has happened to the former Odeon Cinema in Oxford?
As reported by the Oxford Mail in a report by Andy Ffrench, the former cinema building has been reduced to rubble after construction began during the summer. The Odeon Oxford site was fenced off, and demolition took place after the cinema closed at the end of January.
Contractors said the building had been completely demolished and that archaeological checks would take place before the next construction stage. Traders at Gloucester Green market said they had been kept informed about the work.
One trader told the Oxford Mail that the cinema had “gone completely” and said memorabilia, including a statue from inside the cinema, was understood to be retained for display in the new hotel. The report did not confirm which items would ultimately be displayed.
What will be built on the Oxford cinema site?
The approved scheme is for Wilde Oxford, described by Oxford City Council as a “design-led” lifestyle aparthotel containing 145 units. The development is intended to combine hotel services with apartment-style accommodation and shared social spaces.
Oxford City Council said the scheme would include a 400-square-metre community space being developed with Makespace Oxfordshire. The space is intended to support a range of community activities and provide a hub for local use.
Wilde’s own listings state that Wilde Oxford is due to open in 2027, while the Oxford Mail reported that completion of the new building may not take place until late 2027.
How will the demolition affect Gloucester Green market?
Oxford City Council said Gloucester Green market and surrounding businesses would remain open and operational throughout the construction works. The council also said it would continue working with traders and businesses to minimise disruption.
The market operates from Wednesday to Saturday, and traders have been monitoring the demolition and construction activity from the nearby site.
What cinema alternatives remain in Oxford city centre?
Oxford retains several cinema venues following the closure of the George Street Odeon. The Oxford Cinema & Café operates from the former Odeon Cinema in Magdalen Street, while Curzon has a cinema at Westgate Oxford. The Phoenix Picturehouse is on Walton Street, and The Ultimate Picture Palace is off Cowley Road.
What could the next phase mean for local audiences?
The completed demolition allows the Wilde Oxford project to move towards archaeological checks and foundation work, but it also removes a major city-centre cinema site from Oxford’s entertainment offer. Film audiences still have independent and commercial alternatives elsewhere in the city.
The planned community space could provide an additional venue for local activities once the aparthotel is complete. Its eventual effect will depend on the final construction timetable, the way the space is operated and continued access to Gloucester Green market during the works.
