Charleston Preservation Society honors Sottile Theatre renovation with award

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — On Thursday, the Charles Preservation Society awarded the Carolopolis Interior Award to the Sottile Theatre during the Carolopolis Awards Ceremony, following a yearlong renovation of the theater.

The plaque means the building has been restored and maintained under the society’s highest standards of excellence.

“The College of Charleston is honored to receive the Carolopolis Award in recognition of its restoration work in the Sottile Theatre,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “So much hard work and craftsmanship have gone into modernizing the theater and restoring its many gorgeous, historic attributes. The Sottile Theatre is truly an architectural gem in the crown of not only the College of Charleston, but the City of Charleston and the Lowcountry.”

The renovation began with "a modernization of the stage house", as well as the restoration/preservation of the theater’s two original large-scale wall murals and the illuminated dome and repairs to the decorative plasterwork surrounding the dome.

It opened in 1927 on 331 King Street as the Gloria Theater and showcased vaudeville performances, touring shows and movies. Built by Albert Sottile’s Pastime Amusement Company, originally fitted with nearly 2,000 seats. The Gloria was the largest of its kind in South Carolina. TH4 Gloria Theater closed its doors in 1975; however, the College of Charleston bought the theater and renovated it. The theater opened again in February 1990 under the new name of Sottile Theatre.

The 785-seat theater hosts regional and international operas, plays, ballets and concerts, including Spoleto Festival USA events and student performances, movie nights, comedians and speakers.

The College of Charleston has received 30 Carolopolis designations for its restoration of buildings on the historic campus over the years.