This theater has been renovated inside and out and is now called the Dowd Center Theatre. It is a multi-use performance space with movie screenings planned as well.
128 Main St West. The building sat empty for many years and the ceiling collapsed in the auditorium. The facade remains and rebuilt offices now fill the front areas of the building.
This theater reopens March 29, 2022 as the Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas. It will still have 10 screens as well as a full bar and food. Operated by Cinergy Entertainment Group.
According to a Davidson architectural tour pamphlet, the 1954 fire that destroyed the theater happened with between 75 to 200 in attendance. Louis Armstrong was performing at the nearby Davison College but those attending the movie at this theater played a game of ‘chicken’ to see who could stay in the burning theater the longest. Luckily no one was injured but the building was a total loss.
The new digital projection will more easily allow a broader range of programming. The new Beatle’s concert film will open on Feb. 11 as well as a mix of documentaries and planetarium shows.
The Charlotte Observer reports today that this theater reopens Feb. 11 after an almost 2 year COVID related closure. A $1.2 million remodeling was carried out during that time that includes new seats, carpets, air filtration and a conversion from film to digital. It will be one of only 8 theaters in the country to use a laser lens technology for 180 degree domed theaters. It also includes a new name - The Accenture IMAX Domed Theatre - to reflect a 3 year partnership between Discovery Place Museum and Accenture.
Photo and article added from the August 2, 1992 Charlotte Observer. It confirms the tiny piggy back theater added in the former balcony. Today’s google street view shows this theater intact, marquee and all, but deteriorating.
A new pocket park was recentlydedicated on the site of this theater called ‘The Ritz at Washington Heights’ in honor of the demolished cinema. An outdoor stage will occasionally screen movies.
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.
I’ve only uncovered 4 theaters from Charlotte’s segregated past. The Savoy and Lincoln were on the east side of town and the Grand and Ritz were on the west side. Each of those spots operated under different names at some point but I haven’t found any information on other cinemas for blacks.
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.
Several pictures and ads shown for this theatre are actually for the original Broadway Theater that stood at 15 West Trade street and operated from 1915 until the early 20’s. The Broadway Theatre at 209 S. Tryon was opened on March 16, 1925.
The front facade has recently been renovated. Original stucco has been uncovered after the removal of a crumbling thin set brick veneer and new entrance doors were added. The ghost outline of the original marquee is visible over the entrance. Pics added in photo section.
Closing announced for some time in the first half of February 2020. The space is being converted to office and retail use. This will leave Charlotte with only one art house cinema – the 2 screen Manor Theatre.
Work is underway to totally renovate this space for live performances for the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. It’s totally gutted inside with new steelwork in place for the balcony and a new stage area. The exterior will be restored to its original looking movie theater roots. Seating capacity will be about 350 with around a $3 million budget. Completion is planned for late 2020 or early 2021.
The Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery at Mars Theater opened November 16, 2019. Many original details remain. The large stainless brewing tanks line the right side wall in the lower seating area. The screen remains as well as some of the seating. Several areas in the balcony and orchestra floor have been leveled for seating and bar areas but the overall vibe is original and cool. Always a modest building, it still has interesting touches throughout. The original glass windowed baby cry room is intact in one back corner of the balcony. The original ticket booth and projection room are on view with one projector still in place. Remnants of the segregated entrance and seating area for black patrons is in the other rear corner of the balcony. Definitely worth a trip to see the adaptive reuse of this vintage small town theater.
The construction crane is being erected for the 34 story high rise hotel going over the lobby area. Target dates for completion: Fall 2021 for the theater and spring 2022 for the Intercontinental Hotel.
Work is underway to expand this venue to 3 screens.
This theater has been renovated inside and out and is now called the Dowd Center Theatre. It is a multi-use performance space with movie screenings planned as well.
128 Main St West. The building sat empty for many years and the ceiling collapsed in the auditorium. The facade remains and rebuilt offices now fill the front areas of the building.
This theater reopens March 29, 2022 as the Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas. It will still have 10 screens as well as a full bar and food. Operated by Cinergy Entertainment Group.
A new movie projector has been installed replacing the older equipment. Movies play Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
According to a Davidson architectural tour pamphlet, the 1954 fire that destroyed the theater happened with between 75 to 200 in attendance. Louis Armstrong was performing at the nearby Davison College but those attending the movie at this theater played a game of ‘chicken’ to see who could stay in the burning theater the longest. Luckily no one was injured but the building was a total loss.
The new digital projection will more easily allow a broader range of programming. The new Beatle’s concert film will open on Feb. 11 as well as a mix of documentaries and planetarium shows.
The Charlotte Observer reports today that this theater reopens Feb. 11 after an almost 2 year COVID related closure. A $1.2 million remodeling was carried out during that time that includes new seats, carpets, air filtration and a conversion from film to digital. It will be one of only 8 theaters in the country to use a laser lens technology for 180 degree domed theaters. It also includes a new name - The Accenture IMAX Domed Theatre - to reflect a 3 year partnership between Discovery Place Museum and Accenture.
Photo and article added from the August 2, 1992 Charlotte Observer. It confirms the tiny piggy back theater added in the former balcony. Today’s google street view shows this theater intact, marquee and all, but deteriorating.
This theater never reopened after the COVID lock downs and the web site is dormant.
Movies return to the Mars Theatre starting Friday, December 10, 2021 with the Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery screening occasional flicks.
A new pocket park was recentlydedicated on the site of this theater called ‘The Ritz at Washington Heights’ in honor of the demolished cinema. An outdoor stage will occasionally screen movies.
The Paramount closed in 1959.
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.
I’ve only uncovered 4 theaters from Charlotte’s segregated past. The Savoy and Lincoln were on the east side of town and the Grand and Ritz were on the west side. Each of those spots operated under different names at some point but I haven’t found any information on other cinemas for blacks.
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.
All that remains is a vacant lot.
Several pictures and ads shown for this theatre are actually for the original Broadway Theater that stood at 15 West Trade street and operated from 1915 until the early 20’s. The Broadway Theatre at 209 S. Tryon was opened on March 16, 1925.
The original vertical sign has been relamped and the red neon outlining the Mars Theatre name is all working in December 2020.
The front facade has recently been renovated. Original stucco has been uncovered after the removal of a crumbling thin set brick veneer and new entrance doors were added. The ghost outline of the original marquee is visible over the entrance. Pics added in photo section.
Web site states this location has closed after recently opening another theater at Prosperity Village in the suburbs.
Closing announced for some time in the first half of February 2020. The space is being converted to office and retail use. This will leave Charlotte with only one art house cinema – the 2 screen Manor Theatre.
Work is underway to totally renovate this space for live performances for the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. It’s totally gutted inside with new steelwork in place for the balcony and a new stage area. The exterior will be restored to its original looking movie theater roots. Seating capacity will be about 350 with around a $3 million budget. Completion is planned for late 2020 or early 2021.
The Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery at Mars Theater opened November 16, 2019. Many original details remain. The large stainless brewing tanks line the right side wall in the lower seating area. The screen remains as well as some of the seating. Several areas in the balcony and orchestra floor have been leveled for seating and bar areas but the overall vibe is original and cool. Always a modest building, it still has interesting touches throughout. The original glass windowed baby cry room is intact in one back corner of the balcony. The original ticket booth and projection room are on view with one projector still in place. Remnants of the segregated entrance and seating area for black patrons is in the other rear corner of the balcony. Definitely worth a trip to see the adaptive reuse of this vintage small town theater.
The construction crane is being erected for the 34 story high rise hotel going over the lobby area. Target dates for completion: Fall 2021 for the theater and spring 2022 for the Intercontinental Hotel.