Carolina Theatre
226 N. Tryon Street,
Charlotte,
NC
28202
226 N. Tryon Street,
Charlotte,
NC
28202
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According to the Spring 2020 newsletter:
(https://carolinatheatreclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spring-2020-newsletter.pdf)
The foundation work for the tower in front of the auditorium is finished and the “core components” of the tower have been rising, by June, they would be above the level of the auditorium — it looks like construction is well underway!
What is the latest?
Opened on March 7th, 1927
Carolina theatre opening Sun, Mar 6, 1927 – 17 · The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina) · Newspapers.com
Music to my ears.
The construction crane is being erected for the 34 story high rise hotel going over the lobby area. Target dates for completion: Fall 2021 for the theater and spring 2022 for the Intercontinental Hotel.
Wonderful!
The construction fence is up around the theater and work has begun on the renovation.
The Foundation for the Carolinas announced that construction will start on the Carolina Theatre in May and that a 20 story hotel will be built atop the vacant land of the former lobby area. The budget has grown to $42 million.
I photographed the Carolina last year. Check out a short write up and some images at After the Final Curtain.
Any restoration updates would be greatly appreciated.
Too bad other than the 2001: a space odyssey ad, there are no other ads or pictures of the theatre when it was a Cinerama theatre from 1961 to 1969. I would love to add them to my list of Cinerama theatres – http://incinerama.com/ctcineramatheatres.htm
I got to tour this theater during the initial phase of restoration fundraising, which I could swear was during Springfest in the early-mid 90s (do they do Springfest in Charlotte anymore?). It was very surreal – the entire lobby corridor was gone. The main entrance to the auditorium was set back from North Tryon with the space between where the old marquis was and the auditorium door just an open-air area. The auditorium itself was decrepit and stunning at the same time. I’m assuming the structure itself was sound, but it was like walking through a building that had been burned out – dark, dingy, but fascinating nonetheless. I’m glad to hear it’s being restored. I worked at several theaters in Charlotte and frequented many others in the 70s, 80s, and 90s – most all have been torn down. It seems that there could be some positive use for these old auditoriums, but that can’t always be the case.
spectrum: Can’t seem to download the first link. Is it correctly given?
Their press release from Dec. 2015 indicates restoration will start in 2016 with the opening tentatively in 2018.
http://www.fftc.org/document.doc?id=2657
The theatre itself has an official website at
http://www.fftc.org/carolina-theatre
What is the current status?
This theatre had an organ and I wondered if anyone knows where it may have gone?
This is more exciting news out of Mecklenburg County for 2016!
The Charlotte Mecklenburg County Commission has awarded a $4.2 million grant to the Carolina Theater project. This brings the total raised to $31.2 million with a total goal of $35 million. This is the first public money raised so far. The swift fundraising will allow construction to start in 2016. It looks to be a very exciting project.
Thanks for the ever important updates. At least the project is a go and the building will be saved!
PREVIOUSLY OPERATED UNDER…….
1927-1957 Paramount/Publix/North Carolina Theatres
1957-1971 Wilby-Kincey Corporation
1971-1978 ABC Southeastern Theatres
This appeared in today’s Charlotte Observer. It looks like this project is a go. Per the article it does not appear like it will function in any way as a true theater and that’s very disappointing.
“Despite its theatrical history, the renovated Carolina Theatre is being designed to serve as more of a civic gathering space with 1,000 seats for public discourse, including speeches, lectures, debates and conferences. Proposed plans for the renovated theatre include expanding outward with a main lobby that will replace the park currently located on Tryon and upward with three floors of office space and a boutique hotel.”
http://www.charlotteagenda.com/7686/major-renovations-planned-for-carolina-theatre-will-resurrect-the-historic-site-closed-since-1978/
That is wonderful news on Easter Sunday! I recall when I first came to town and saw that corner in 2003..knowing that a great theatre building was there waiting to be restored. Thanks “ncmark” for your recent post and for keeping us all updated. I hope to see the Charlotte Ballet perform on the Carolina Theatre stage someday.
The Charlotte Observer reports that a recent gift from Wells Fargo of $2 million brings the total raised for renovation of the Carolina Theater to $27 million.
I see there are accent colored lights on the former Carolina Theatre uptown corner now. Hope to see work started on the theatre and rebuilding of the lobby in 2015!!
“PATTON” was the only Reserved Seat Engagement Showing in the Carolinas at Charlotte’s Carolina Theatre in 1970.