The Riviera
The Riviera Theater
Charleston, South Carolina

The Riviera is a sublime example of the romantic Art Deco style. It was the home of first run pictures, on its fifty foot screen, until 1977. The theater was leased to a church group in 1979 and, by the mid-80's, was threatened with demolition. The Friends of the Riviera protected the theater and it was eventually sold to the Charleston Place Hotel. The hotel restored the entire theater, but removed the seats in order to create a conference center and ballroom.