American Theater - Charleston, SC - Vintage Movie Theaters on Waymarking.com

The American Theater opened in 1942 and was wildly popular through the 1960s. However, by 1977, the building stood vacant and abandoned, while the neighborhood around it declined. True to their preservationist vision, the Patricks recognized the Theater as an important community building opportunity and purchased it in 1997. After a painstaking renovation by Glenn Keyes Architects, The American reopened in 2003 as a state-of-the-art event and conference facility.
The Art-Deco-inspired American Theater is revamping its second theater and concession area into an elegant ballroom, making it a space of grace and comfort, glamour and warmth for large-scale private parties and corporate events. Glenn Keyes Architects, who completed The William Aiken House renovation and Lowndes Grove, leads the project. Architectural details and décor will reflect the theater’s stunning Art-Deco style. The front theater, currently used for both corporate and private meetings and movie screenings, as well as Star’s Bar, will remain unchanged.
The reopening is scheduled for early October, 2008.
Built to serve the vast residentail area north of Calhoun Street, the American Theatre was a medium size theatre seating 900 people. When it opened, it was well equipped with a small stage and all the elements needed by a modern movie theatre including Simplex projectors and RCA sound equipment.

The American Theatre was designed by architect, Augustine E. Constantine, constructed by Long Construction Company and plumbing was installed by W. K. Prause. Air conditioning was not installed because of government war restrictions, however, it was comfortably ventilated by powerful fans on either side of the stage, in the roof, and in the rear of the building.

Toppin the proscenium arch was a golden American Eagle. The theatre was named the American "in honor of service men, war workers and Americans all over the nation whose efforts are being bent toward victory over the axis powers."

Number of Screen(s): 2 Year Theater Opened: Not listed Ticket Price (local currency): Not Listed Matinee Price (local currency): Not Listed Concessions Available: Not Listed Web site: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Must take a photo of the theater.
Please try to include yourself or gps in the picture.
Tell of your experience at the theater, if it is still a theater. If it is no longer a theater tell of an experience from the past at the theater, if this can be done.

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Date Logged Log   05/11/2016 nomadwillie visited it 12/28/2011 denben visited it 09/14/2008 carolina1 visited it

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