Carolina Theatre’s giant glass box lobby and 20+ story luxury hotel begins construction in May

After some delays, they’re finally ready to break ground in May.

[Agenda story: Major renovations planned for Carolina Theatre will resurrect the historic site closed since 1978]

Carolina Theatre opened in 1927 and thrived as a major performance venue and movie theater — first for vaudeville performances and talkies (the earliest films with sound) in the early 20th century and later as host to huge names like Bob Hope, Katherine Hepburn and Elvis Presley.

Today it’s in shambles, woefully neglected for nearly 40 years.

The plan is to bring the theater back to life with a $42 million restoration project.

Renderings show that the ground floor will be a glass box of sorts showcasing the restored facade that is set back off the street.

Upon completion in 2019, the theater will serve as a venue for everything from movie nights to corporate and community events.

[Agenda story: Insight: This is why the Carolina Theatre renovation works]

In addition to the theater renovation is a brand new 250-room InterContinental Hotel that will rise 20 stories atop the theater.

Valor Hospitality and SB&G Group are teaming to bring the first of the brand’s full-service luxury hotels to the Carolinas. InterContinental is a fantastic flag to have Uptown.

[Agenda story: There’s going to be a 20-story luxury hotel atop the Carolina Theatre]

The design of the hotel looks fantastic and is certainly nothing like any other building seen in Uptown. It will likely approach 300 feet, and will likely have a rooftop amenity deck and restaurant in there somewhere.