The theater that once hosted Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, and “The Sound of Music” will soon open as a civic hub in Uptown.
The Carolina Theatre has hosted live shows and feature films since opening in March 1927. The theatre closed in 1978 and sat dormant at 220 N. Tryon St. until restoration began in 2018.
The Foundation For The Carolinas will bring the $90 million project back to life. Completion is scheduled for November 2024 with an expected opening date of 2025.
“We’re excited to finally share this amazing restoration and historic gem with donors and the community,” said Timothy Hager, Vice President of Communications for the Foundation For The Carolinas.
Renovations
The space will feature murals paying homage to the 1927 theater. Guests will see the original facade restored, along with decorative plaster and moldings.
The theater will have 950 seats + love seats, lounge seats or banquettes, and box seats.
Programming is expected to include speakers, community engagement events, town hall meetings, and more. Details remain TBD.
A five-star hotel will be built above the theater lobby. The hotel will occupy 23 floors of the 28-story building, boasting 244 rooms with views of Uptown.
Opening night
The Carolina Theatre opened March 7, 1924, playing the silent film comedy “A Kiss in a Taxi.” The theater was decorated with intricate murals, balconies, and wrought-iron chandeliers.
Memorable moments
In 1956, Elvis Presley rocked the stage at 21 years old, before many Charlotteans had yet to hear of “The King.” 5,000+ people attended his sold-out shows. Teenagers even lined the blocks for a chance to see the heartthrob.
Years later, the silver screen hosted “The Sound of Music” to nearly 400,000 people during its record 79-week run. The Carolina Theatre was the only movie house in the Carolinas to show the award-winning film.
The final days
As audiences gravitated to newer theaters, the Carolina Theatre closed its doors on November 27, 1978, after a screening of Bruce Lee’s “The Fist.”
The theater was placed on the Local Historic Register in 1982 and purchased by the city in 1986. After sitting vacant and abandoned, Foundation For The Carolinas purchased the theater for $1 in 2013, kicking off plans for its restoration and renovation.
