Caliente Ballroom breaks ground on new Mount Pleasant studio

Founded in 2019, Caliente Ballroom’s growth in Mount Pleasant has led to the groundbreaking of the next phase of the dance studio. 

The new studio location is expected to be completed at the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026, according to a news release.  

“This project represents two dreams coming together: my desire to take on a commercial venture, and Artur Malakyan’s dream of owning and operating his own full-service dance studio right here in America,” Lynda Byrd, a Charleston-based entrepreneur, said in the release. “It’s also a chance to give something back — to create a vibrant space where the community can come together, move together, and grow together.” 

Caliente Ballroom was founded by Artur Malakyan, an Armenia-raised dancer who moved to Charleston 10 years ago, the release said. In November 2019, he launched Caliente Ballroom, where he now choreographs all routines for annual showcases and provides private dance lessons, competitive training, and group instruction across a variety of styles.

Vitre’ Ravenel Stephens and Parker Richard of Factotum Real Estate helped find land for the project, the release said. Kevin Whalley and his team at Architecture +, along with the Town of Mount Pleasant, helped with the design and Harbor Contracting is leading the build.