Riviera Theatre (1939), view10, 225 King St, Charleston, SC, USA
Charleston est. 1670, pop. 127,999 (2013)
Marker:
The Riviera Theatre was constructed in 1939 by Albert Sottile, President of Pastime Amusement Company. The Art Deco architecture is in the Egyptian style. It served the Charleston community as a motion theatre until 1978. The theatre is situated on the site of the Academy of Music, which opened in 1869 and was one of America's best known theatres. It was noted for the perfection of its acoustics. At the Academy of Music appeared such famous artists as Theodore Thomas' Orchestra, Maurice Barrymore, The Grau Opera Company, John Drew, The Booths, Joseph Jefferson, Mrs. Fiske, Lillian Russell, Otis Skinner, Irving & Terry, Weber & Fields, Bernhardt, Schumann-Heinck, Maude Adams, Paderewski, and other world-renowned performers in all the range of professional entertainment.
• site originally occupied by Kerrison's Department Store (1830) • building destroyed in the great fire of 1838 • rebuilt by Kerrison's & operated until 1852
• sold to mercantile firm, Browning & Leman • new building erected, designed by Charleston architect Edward C. Jones (1822-1902)
• in 1869 New Yorker John Chadwick purchased the 4-story building • remodeled as theater by architect John Henry Devereux (1840-1920) • patterned after European opera houses, had excellent acoustics • during construction Chadwick referred to the 1200-seat venue as Charleston Opera House • described it as "superior to any theatre in New York, save 'Booth's Theatre' and the 'Grand Opera House'" • changed name to Academy of Music [photoengraving] • opened 1869
• in 1875 theater purchased for $42,000 cash by English-American comedian John E. Owens (1824-1886) • renamed Owens Academy of Music • Owens was famous for his portrayal of Solon Shingle, a warm-hearted, blustering old farmer said to have been the most popular character of 1860s American theater
• the 1886 Charleston Earthquake severely damaged the theater • without insurance, Owens lost his investment • theater later restored, began exhibiting moving pictures, early 20th c.
• building acquired in 1920 by Pastime Amusement Company, an early 20th c. movie theater operator owned by Sicilian immigrant Albert Sottile (1880-1960) • in 1936 company announced plans to demolish the bldg. • replaced by 1,193-seat Art Deco movie theater designed by Charles Collins Benton (1887-1960), Benton & Benton, Fayetteville, NC • balcony seating was originally racially segregated • separate African-American entrance on Market St. • Cinema Treasures • SC Movie Theatres
• closed, 1977 • threatened w/demolition, 1980s • saved by The Friends of the Riviera • sold to Charleston Place Hotel (next door) • rehabilitated & renovated by Charles C. Benton and Sons, architects, 1996-97 • some wall murals, polychrome plaster details & other Art Deco features remain intact • now 9,000 sq. ft. Conference Theatre on the Riviera, part of Belmond Charleston Place
• Charleston Historic District, National Register # 66000964, 1969 • declared National Historic Landmark District, 1973
Riviera Theatre (1939), view10, 225 King St, Charleston, SC, USA
Charleston est. 1670, pop. 127,999 (2013)
Marker:
The Riviera Theatre was constructed in 1939 by Albert Sottile, President of Pastime Amusement Company. The Art Deco architecture is in the Egyptian style. It served the Charleston community as a motion theatre until 1978. The theatre is situated on the site of the Academy of Music, which opened in 1869 and was one of America's best known theatres. It was noted for the perfection of its acoustics. At the Academy of Music appeared such famous artists as Theodore Thomas' Orchestra, Maurice Barrymore, The Grau Opera Company, John Drew, The Booths, Joseph Jefferson, Mrs. Fiske, Lillian Russell, Otis Skinner, Irving & Terry, Weber & Fields, Bernhardt, Schumann-Heinck, Maude Adams, Paderewski, and other world-renowned performers in all the range of professional entertainment.
• site originally occupied by Kerrison's Department Store (1830) • building destroyed in the great fire of 1838 • rebuilt by Kerrison's & operated until 1852
• sold to mercantile firm, Browning & Leman • new building erected, designed by Charleston architect Edward C. Jones (1822-1902)
• in 1869 New Yorker John Chadwick purchased the 4-story building • remodeled as theater by architect John Henry Devereux (1840-1920) • patterned after European opera houses, had excellent acoustics • during construction Chadwick referred to the 1200-seat venue as Charleston Opera House • described it as "superior to any theatre in New York, save 'Booth's Theatre' and the 'Grand Opera House'" • changed name to Academy of Music [photoengraving] • opened 1869
• in 1875 theater purchased for $42,000 cash by English-American comedian John E. Owens (1824-1886) • renamed Owens Academy of Music • Owens was famous for his portrayal of Solon Shingle, a warm-hearted, blustering old farmer said to have been the most popular character of 1860s American theater
• the 1886 Charleston Earthquake severely damaged the theater • without insurance, Owens lost his investment • theater later restored, began exhibiting moving pictures, early 20th c.
• building acquired in 1920 by Pastime Amusement Company, an early 20th c. movie theater operator owned by Sicilian immigrant Albert Sottile (1880-1960) • in 1936 company announced plans to demolish the bldg. • replaced by 1,193-seat Art Deco movie theater designed by Charles Collins Benton (1887-1960), Benton & Benton, Fayetteville, NC • balcony seating was originally racially segregated • separate African-American entrance on Market St. • Cinema Treasures • SC Movie Theatres
• closed, 1977 • threatened w/demolition, 1980s • saved by The Friends of the Riviera • sold to Charleston Place Hotel (next door) • rehabilitated & renovated by Charles C. Benton and Sons, architects, 1996-97 • some wall murals, polychrome plaster details & other Art Deco features remain intact • now 9,000 sq. ft. Conference Theatre on the Riviera, part of Belmond Charleston Place
• Charleston Historic District, National Register # 66000964, 1969 • declared National Historic Landmark District, 1973