The historic section of the venerable Read House reopened on Tuesday after a sparkling $27 million renovation.
The first guests began arriving early in the day and the hotel at Broad and MLK Boulevard is booked through Sunday.
New owner Jon Weitz presided at a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday afternoon that included remarks by Mayor Andy Berke.
The hotel is now outfitted with a Roaring 20s theme - the old part dates to 1926.
The beloved Green Room is back, though only as a banquet and party section, not as a public restaurant.
The new Bridgeman fine dining section traces back to Peter "Rabbit" Bridgeman, who was one of the most well-known employees of The Read House for 47 years. He served locals and visitors alike and almost never forgot a name or a face. The restaurant was named in his honor for his dedication to guests of The Read House and will open in late October.
The Silver Ballroom still has its original Waterford chandeliers and sconces. Mr. Weitz said every square inch of the silver leaf, plaster and molding have been spit shined.
The front door. as it was in the beginning, was facing Ninth Street (now MLK). Mr. Weitz said it was a big mistake to have ever moved it to Broad.
A contingent of nattily dressed doormen and valets are waiting for every guest.
Avocet Hospitality Group (Avocet), owner and operator of independent hotels, acquired the hotel in 2016 and commenced the renovation in late 2017.
The hotel is comprised of two buildings – the original Read House built in 1926, and The Manor Building added in 1964. During Phase I of the renovation, the historic structure was closed while all rooms were completely rebuilt with all new layouts, walls, plumbing, electrical, technology, and furnishings. The public areas, including the grand lobby, Silver Ballroom, and the Green Room were meticulously restored to retain the historic nature of the hotel. All of the plaster and silver leaf in the Silver Ballroom has been restored. The original Russian Walnut in the grand lobby has been restored, stripped, cleaned, and polished.
Mr. Weitz said, “As we researched the history of The Read House, it became apparent that this was the premier place for social gatherings and lavish parties during the heyday of the hotel. Almost everyone had a great story of a celebration that had occurred at The Read House. These stories made us realize that The Read House needed to be reborn as a Roaring 20s hotel – Gatsby style.”.
Avocet worked closely with local architecture firm, Artech, along with renown hotel interior designer, Deborah Forrest, of ForrestPerkins to create the vision for the rebirth of the hotel. Historic accounts indicated The Read House originally included a library seating area, as well as a lobby bar and billiards room. Those areas were recreated as part of the renovation to make the hotel as authentic as possible to the original vision of Samuel Read in 1926.
The renovation also included returning the hotel entrance back to its proper location on MLK Boulevard, along with a new historically accurate canopy covering the entrance. Guests will be greeted by bellman and valet at 107 W MLK entrance and enter the grand lobby the way it was intended to be enjoyed when it originally opened in 1926.
The hotel will also include Bridgeman’s Chophouse, an upscale steakhouse named after Peter Bridgeman (aka “Peter Rabbit”). Mr. Bridgeman was one the most well-known employees of The Read House for 47 years. He served locals and visitors alike and almost never forgot a name or a face. The restaurant was named in his honor for his dedication to guests of The Read House and will open in late October.
“Our mission is for our team to create a magical experience for each guest from the moment they pull up until the moment they leave. We want guests to feel that they are the guest of honor at a Roaring 20s party. We are definitely trying to create a wholistic experience. We want to give you more than just a place to sleep and a hot shower, “said Ken Merkel, general manager of the hotel.
The entire Read House contains 242 guestrooms and suites, 141 of those rooms have been completely renovated in the historic tower. The remaining 100 rooms housed in The Manor Building will be renovated during Phase II – slated to start before 2019.
Avocet Hospitality Group specializes in developing and operating independent hotels, restaurants and property management companies. The Charleston-based company owns and operates The Vendue, Charleston’s Art Hotel.
Awaiting guests just inside the new old front door