Garden Theater
371 King Street,
Charleston,
SC
29403
371 King Street,
Charleston,
SC
29403
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Showing 26 - 49 of 49 comments
Yikes! I can’t believe I haven’t posted our site on South Carolina Movie Theatres (history). It’s http://www.scmovietheatres.com
Hope you like it. Would love feedback.
Sorry….the name is John Coles. His website is above in his March 5th post.
Scoop: John Cole is supposed to have a website on SC theatres, but I haven’t found it yet.
This is sad news and does NOT ‘make my day’!
You can see some recent demolition photos at http://www.cofc.edu/~tiedjem/lowcountry_05.htm
including one of the projectors that remain in the projection booth. The auditorium floor has been completely leveled now. I will try to take some current demolition photos next week and post them. Yes, I mean demolition because the Garden could never be restored as a theater now.
lostmemory: Thanks for these photos and information.
I sure wish someone would post some interior and exterior photos of this theatre. When I was in Charleston SC in late January I recall going by this gorgeous building, but didn’t know at the time that it had been a theatre…if someone had told me I would have investigated closer though I did see the Riviera and the American while in town on King Street.
It is most interesting to read so many personal thoughts concerning this theatre and I only hope that the current status is good so hope that someone gives us some updated positive thumbs up information. And I agree “The only way to save this historically valuable theater is for everyone to pull on the same rope.”
Matt: I sent you an email, but wanted to say here…congratulations on what you and others were able to accomplish in saving another theatre! My friends enjoyed Jukebox Journey! Hope to hear from you soon.
And The American Theater is closing as well……. Goodbye to exhibition in downtown Charleston!
In the The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC), Feb 25, 2005 pB9: The theater will become a clothing store (Urban Outfitters). Seats already taken out and donated to a church. The city is assuring that the historic architectural features are preserved.
Wow, good luck you guys! I really hope that you can save this theatre. Myself and a few others took over the Historic Savannah Theatre, in Savannah, Ga, in August of 2002. Before we stepped into the picture, the Savannah Theatre was possibly going to be turned into condos. Thank God it was not. We renovated the theatre and opened a show called “Lost in the 50’s”, we ran over 400 performances in the theatre and have recently opened our new music revue show “Jukebox Journey”, which we have already done over 150 performances of. Since the day we opened the theatre, it has been a very profitable venue. There are so many ways for these kind of venues to still be profitable. If this building was to turn into anything other than a venue for movies or live performances it would be absolutely the wrong decision. Savannah is only 2 hours away from Charleston, and very similar in the fact that historic preservation and tourism are very important to the city. I wish that anyone considering destroying this theatre would look at what happened with the Savannah Theatre before they make their decision. Good luck you guys! Check out our website. www.savannahtheatre.com
If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me.
Matt Meece
Savannah Theatre (912)233-7764 Email:
Why can’t they print (above) John Cole’s photo of the theatre from the April 30 News Release (since it’s already on this web site)?
By the way, I posted my comments about the purchase/restoration of The Garden with that April 30 News Release.
Unfortunately, I arrived in Charleston just after your hearing at the Charleston County Library. I will return to Charleston this summer so please keep me updated on possible future meetings (my e mail address: ).
Also, where can John Cole’s book on Charleston’s theatres be purchased?
Some support has been found to save the Garden Theater as a theater. There will be a public meeting on the current status of the plan in the conference room of the Charleston County Public Library, Monday, May 24, 2004, at 7 p.m. We are very close to losing this theater. Even though we have received encouraging comments from city officials, preservationists, arts organizations, and local citizens, we have very little time left. Attend if you can. Wish us well whether you can attend the meeting or not.
This is a gorgeous theater. Whether it is used for movies or not, the building must be preserved.
Yes, Mr. Coles, I too knew Roger personally and I loaned my 16mm print of Rossellini’s DESIDERIO, from my private collection, for that series.
That wonderful series was presented by Roger McNiven who did an Orson Wells series the following year at the Garden Theater. Roger, who taught film history at NYU, also presented films at the Grange Hall on Martha’s vineyard. He would have been thrilled to know people still recall the Rossellini series.
In June of 1979, as an adjunct to the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, there was a retrospective of the films of Roberto Rossellini. Many of the screenings took place at the Garden Theatre. I had come down from Rhode Island to see all of what was shown and grew to love both the city and this wonderful theatre.
No one person is likely to have the best idea. Ralph and I are planning to advertise in the local newspaper to hold a meeting at the library for anyone interested in trying to save the Garden Theater. If you want to talk, we would value your ideas. This may very well be the last chance to save the Garden Theater. Unlike the Arcade Theater, which was demolished last year, the Garden has architectural and historical significance to Charleston. I’ve spoken briefly with a local architectural historian here at the College of Charleston. Please email or call (843) 953-7510 for me, or (843) 571-2672 for Ralph, if you want to communicate directly.
According to The Beach Company, The contract in question did not have the proper city forms and could not meet thier contract date. Their contract was bought out by an anonymous party through the dealings of Mr. Way, who was planning to put in a national chain. I have been following this very close for some time, even at one point the mayor was informed of our plan and we too met with civic leaders. The parties new of our intention to put a contract in on March 22nd, the monday following the midnight deadline. According to the agent, Mr. Way’s mind was made up, and he would not accept our contract. Believe me, nothing would make me happier than to see this theatre a theatre. It has been my dream for a long time. It would be a travesty, to let one inch of this theatre destroyed. Any ideas?
What is really happening? The doctor who purchased the Garden Theater on March 11, has incidated he would not use the theater for condos but would be willing to sell the theater to anyone for $1.6 million. It is difficult to follow what is actually going on with this property. If anyone, including Todd, would like to share information, please feel free to contact me at
I still think there is hope for saving the theater as a theater. The diverse “interested parties” involved don’t seem to be communicating with each other. We’ve talked to city planners, the Preservation Society and the doctor who says he now owns the theater. The only way to save this historically valuable theater is for everyone to pull on the same rope. The only way to keep Charleston from becoming another shopping mall is by working together to steer the city in a better direction.
I have been working to save The Garden Theatre for over a year. Due to the cut-throat real estate game in Charleston, My group and I have been quietly communicating with the owners of this building to get it under contract. Without risking libel, I will just say that the first contract “condo” plan was a direct result of an over-ambitious architect we were working with trying to get a quick cash deal. But we over came this contract and were ready to rally for support. I will also add that LLat was being misinformed about a lease opportunity to keep his group off their back. They never even considered keeping The Garden as a theatre. But there was light at the end of the tunnel. We spoke with a fellow Cinema Treasure Real estate developer who new the real estate game and how to play it,and a new architect, who shared the vision of a restored Garden, and believe it or not, the condo contract was falling through. This contract was to end Friday, March 19th at midnight. We were ready to put our contract in first thing monday morning. Until the bottom dropped out. The owner of the real estate company, and a relative of the founder of The Garden Theatre, sold the contract to NEW developers who have a national tenant and are closing with no contingencies. They will not accept our contract. Especially from us non-profit folk without the kind of cash a national tenant brings to the table. I will spare the rest of the story- ya’ll have heard it before. It is a shame though- charleston wasn’t always a shopping mall. My hat is off to Mr. Coles. I own a copy of his book about The History Charleston’s Movie Theatres and it was a great resource and a wonderful read for a fellow cinema treasure hunter. I wish there was a happier ending. I do think, Mr. Coles, you should post the other theatres on this site.
The City of Charleston did not renew its lease on this theater and it is no longer in use. It is currently for sale.
I have photos of local theaters in South Carolina. When will the “Add a Photo” feature be available? I would like to communicate with some of your contributors.
Thanks