Carolina Theatre
226 N. Tryon Street,
Charlotte,
NC
28202
226 N. Tryon Street,
Charlotte,
NC
28202
9 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Carolina Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc., Publix
Architects: Robert E. Hall, Charles C. Hook
Firms: Robert E. Hall & Company
Styles: Mission Revival
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 31, 2013 — "2001: A Space Odyssey" 45th Anniversary – The Cinerama Engagements
- Dec 23, 2012 — Charlotte selects foundation to restore theater
- Dec 9, 2012 — Happy 50th, “Lawrence of Arabia”
- Oct 15, 2012 — City Council sees 'jewel' in uptown's old Carolina Theatre
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
- Oct 30, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Sleeping Beauty"
- Dec 18, 2008 — Remembering Cinerama (Part 16: Charlotte)
- Jan 12, 2006 — Charlotte's Carolina Theatre Sold to Developer
- Jan 16, 2004 — Today's Newsreel
Opened on March 7, 1927, the Carolina Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Charlotte. It was built for and operated by Publix. In the 1940’s in was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary H.F. Kincey.
Despite a successful multi-decade run, including a period as a Cinerama theatre, the Carolina Theatre closed on November 27, 1978, and was damaged by arson in the 1980’s. Many decorative elements of the original interior were removed, but others remain including the (badly damaged) murals. The lobby and entrance portion of the building was demolished recently, but the space from the auditorium to the street was very recently turned into a beautiful mini-park. The building is structurally sound, the exterior has been repaired and repainted.
In April 2013, the city of Charlotte sold the Carolina Theatre for $1.00 to the Foundation for the Carolinas which intends to restore it as a performing arts and community center seating between 1,000 and 1,200. This project, estimated to cost $51,500,000, benefited from a $5,000,000 pledge from the Bank of America on January 28, 2014, to kick-start its fundraising campaign for the restoration. In 2018 Barings Bank gifted $500,000 which completed the $51.5 million required for the renovations. Construction has begun in renovating the Carolina Theatre with a planned 2020 reopening. A 32-story Intercontinental Hotel will be built on top of the theatre and the new project will be named Belk Place in honor of the Belk family.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick, Dave Litterer
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Recent comments (view all 178 comments)
https://carolinatheatreclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spring-2020-newsletter.pdf
Sorry if the link I just posted is not in blue to simply tap on it. It is worth reading. Can’t tell you how pleased I am to see this theatre finally being restored in downtown Charlotte! When I moved to Charlotte in 2003 I knew that it had been quite the theatre in its heyday and that it was worth saving. Thank goodness it was never demolished then and is now being restored for future generations. There were many Carolina Theatres throughout NC and many are listed as closed. Such a shame. I haven’t posted on CT for quite awhile though feel it is time to start posting again on a site that is close to my heart. Thank you Ross for creating CT for all of us theatre buffs. Btw, I hope to have a theatre exhibit in September in remembrance of my hometown theatre, the Grand in Westfield NY though COVID may require changes in the plan. The Grand is listed on CT. Check it out.
It has been a long time since I posted anything,also,Patsy. That this project is going forward,will be a great asset to Charlotte .
A great asset and a very long time coming.
Another update - their Fall 2020 newsletter. Construction continues, on many fronts including lobby tower, stagehouse infrastructure and more.
https://app.yearly.report/preview/?rid=-MK0E51JPFy_kz7d8PPj&uid=bFiVrfkv8fZNMtapVtY0Kbr6zkp1
Work continues on the theater but hotel construction has been put on hold. Not canceled but delayed indefinitely due to Pandemic uncertainties. Most recent estimates for the theater completion is fall of 2022.
Today’s Charlotte Observer reports that construction on the theater continues despite the hotel tower being put on hold indefinitely. The steel framework is completed for the first few floors that will hold the lobby and administrative offices. Completion is expected in late 2022. Picture added of the framework as of April 2021.
Thank you ncmark. Hope to see photos. My email is
Hi, Patsy and other members. I emailed the powers that be and offered the gift of a Barton Theatre Organ for the restoration. I was told that the renovation plans do not include the re-installation of a pipe organ. As I understand, the Theatre originally had a Barton. If anyone has any questions they can contact me directly.
Link to their Spring 2021 newsletter:
https://carolinatheatreclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Spring-2021-newsletter.pdf
Highlights: Construction continuing, primarily on electrical, HVAC, etc. and continued excavation of the basement into the crawlspace. The roof will be removed and replaced over the summer of 2021 (So it’s probably done by now).