The Charleston Marriott Town Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary today with an open reception from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is welcome to sample foods from the hotel's new day/night bar that seats 50 people.

Four of the seven "charter associates," who have worked at the Charleston Marriott Town Center since it opened on Sept. 15, 1982, are (from left) David Robinson, Jeff Messinger, Larry Walker and Linda Wolfe.

The Charleston Marriott Town Center revealed some of its $8 million in renovations last week. The new lobby features a fireplace, bright beige walls, modern furniture and a new front desk.

Charter associates Reba Nichols, a banquet server, and Larry Walker, banquet supervisor, have walked through the same front doors at the Charleston Marriott Town Center for 30 years. Nichols worked as the housekeeping supervisor for 26 years.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd recites poetry and a quote from Theodore Roosevelt to a crowd of more than 200 on Oct. 31, 1980. The site behind him is where the Charleston Marriott Town Center stands today.

Jeff Messinger, Charleston Marriott Town Center's director of engineering and a charter associate, said there was nothing like the full-service hotel in Charleston before the 15-story, $17 million landmark opened in 1982. In this July 7, 1982, photo, the hotel nears completion.

The hotel was built in a "Superblock" development plan that included a new Civic Center and a $100 million shopping mall. This Dec. 31, 1981, photo shows an area that once was scattered with houses..

7.95x3.7 30MARRIOTT1 30 year Marriott Hotel employees (L-R) David Robinson, Jeff Messinger, Larry Walker, Linda Wolfe. photo by Chris dorst