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Memphis Pyramid
Memphis Pyramid
Memphis Pyramid
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The Memphis Pyramid, formerly known as the Great American Pyramid and the Pyramid Arena, and colloquially known as the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid,[8] is a pyramid-shaped building located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, United States, at the bank of the Mississippi River. Built in 1991 as a 20,142-seat arena, the facility was owned and operated jointly by the city of Memphis and Shelby County until Shelby County sold its share to Memphis in April 2009.[9] Its structure plays on the city's namesake in Egypt, which is known for its ancient pyramids. It is 321 feet (98 m) (about 32 stories) tall and has base sides of 591 feet (180 m); it is by some measures the tenth-tallest pyramid in the world.[10]

Key Information

The Memphis Pyramid has not been regularly used as a sports or entertainment venue since 2007. In 2015, the Pyramid re-opened as a Bass Pro Shops megastore, which included shopping, a hotel, restaurants, a bowling alley, and an archery range, with an outdoor observation deck adjacent to its apex. Ducks Unlimited also operates a museum on waterfowl hunting and wetlands conservation inside of the store.

Construction

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The Great American Pyramid was first conceived around 1954 by Mark C. Hartz, a Memphis artist. The project originally included three pyramids located on the south bluffs of Memphis overlooking the Mississippi River. The largest of the three would have been scaled at two-thirds the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza near Memphis, Egypt; the flanking structures would have been scaled at two-thirds the size of the main pyramid. The project languished for three decades until Hartz's younger son, Memphian Jon Brent Hartz, resurrected the concept. Mark C. Hartz, who was well known for his architectural renderings, rendered a new bronze glass-glazed pyramid. After years of negotiations, the younger Hartz's concept was adopted by entrepreneur John Tigrett as a symbol for the city of Memphis. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 15, 1989, and the building was opened on November 9, 1991.[11]

The construction of the building was managed by Sidney Shlenker, part-owner of the Denver Nuggets and several entertainment companies, whom Tigrett had brought to Memphis to develop tourist attractions in the building. Originally, there were plans for a shortwave radio station broadcasting Memphis music, an observation deck with an inclinator along the side of the building, a Hard Rock Cafe, a music museum, a College Football Hall of Fame, and a theme park on Mud Island.[12] However, the plans were scrapped because of a fallout between Tigrett and Shlenker, and the latter's financial difficulties.

Various former uses and events

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Pyramid Arena
The Pyramid
The Pyramid Arena, as seen from the Auction Avenue bridge in 2002.
Map
Interactive map of Pyramid Arena
Address1 Auction Avenue
LocationMemphis, Tennessee
Coordinates35°9′20″N 90°3′7″W / 35.15556°N 90.05194°W / 35.15556; -90.05194
OwnerCity of Memphis
OperatorSMG
CapacityConcerts: 21,000
Basketball:
20,142 (1991–2001)
19,405 (2001–2002)
19,351 (2002–2004)
Construction
Broke groundSeptember 15, 1989[5]
OpenedNovember 9, 1991[6]
ClosedFebruary 3, 2007
Construction costUS$65 million
($133 million in 2024 dollars)[4]
ArchitectRosser Fabrap International[7]
Structural engineerWalter P. Moore & Associates, Inc.[7]
General contractorHuber, Hunt & Nichols[7]
Tenants
Memphis Tigers (NCAA) (1991–2004)
Memphis Pharaohs (AFL) (1995–1996)
Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) (2001–2004)

The Pyramid was the home court of the University of Memphis men's basketball program starting in 1991, and later for the National Basketball Association's Memphis Grizzlies after they relocated from Vancouver in 2001. However, both teams left The Pyramid in November 2004 to move into the newly built FedExForum. It was also home of the Memphis Pharaohs of the Arena Football League for the 1995 and 1996 AFL season before they relocated to Portland in 1997.

The arena hosted the 1993 Great Midwest Conference Men's and Women's basketball tournaments, the 1994 and 1997 Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament, the 1996 and 2000 Conference USA men's basketball tournament, and the 2003 Conference USA women's basketball tournament. It also held the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in 1995, 1997, and 2001. The Grateful Dead played two concerts at the arena on April 1 and 2, 1995.[13][14]

Singer Mary J. Blige performed at the arena in September 1997 during her Share My World Tour.

The Pyramid was the site in 1999 of the WWF St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House pay-per-view which featured Big Show's WWE debut (under his real name Paul Wight); also in 1999 the rock bands the Rolling Stones and Phish played sold-out concerts.[15] Phish released an audio recording of the concert, entitled "Memphis '99", as a digital download in 2022.[16]

On June 8, 2002, the Pyramid hosted Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson, one of the biggest professional boxing events in history, which Lewis won by knockout in the eighth round. The following year it hosted Mike Tyson vs. Clifford Etienne, a fight that Tyson won by knockout in the first round.

On August 16, 2002, the arena hosted a concert that commemorated the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.

From 2002 to 2006, the annual Church of God in Christ international holy convocations were held here.

It was also the graduation hall for Raleigh-Egypt High School.

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band performed what was the last concert ever in the Pyramid, in February 2007. This was also the final event in the building while the Pyramid was a sports arena.[17]

Filmmaker Craig Brewer used the building as a sound stage for his film Black Snake Moan in late 2005.[18]

Troubles and closure

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In 2001, the city of Memphis attempted to relocate the Vancouver Grizzlies or the Charlotte Hornets to Memphis. While the Pyramid was functional and profitable, it was well short of NBA standards despite being only a decade old. The renovations required to make the building a viable long-term venue for an NBA franchise would have been prohibitively expensive. They would have also required taking the arena offline for a year.[19] As a result, the $250 million FedExForum was built as a condition of the Grizzlies' move from Vancouver and opened in 2004. The city of Memphis did spend $7 million on renovations such as improved dressing rooms and new television camera platforms for the Grizzlies' three-year stay in the arena.[20]

While hosting the Grizzlies, the arena lost $200,000 in 2002.[21]

The City of Memphis's contract with the Grizzlies forbade the use of The Pyramid without the team's approval, and, as a result, it went dark. The Memphis city council voted to keep the arena open in 2004.[22] A committee headed by Memphis businessman Scott Ledbetter studied possible uses of the arena in 2005 and considered such uses as converting the arena into a casino, an aquarium, a shopping mall, or an indoor theme park.[23] In November 2006, Congressman-elect Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) suggested that he would attempt to open a Mid-American branch of the Smithsonian Institution in the building. However, these plans were never realized. In the end, the Ledbetter committee on the building's future recommended that it be used for destination retail, which would create more jobs and new tax revenues.

Bass Pro Shops and redevelopment

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Interior of the Pyramid on Bass Pro Shops' opening day
Vicinity of the pyramid, with the edge of the Hernando de Soto Bridge at far left

In October 2005, media speculation began to focus on an aquarium or a Bass Pro Shops superstore as the most likely long-term tenants of the arena. In 2008, the city and Bass Pro Shops reached a tentative agreement, short on details, but based on an intent to develop the then-abandoned structure.[24] On June 30, 2010, after 5 years of negotiating, Bass Pro Shops and the City of Memphis signed an agreement for a 55-year lease for a Bass Pro Shops megastore. In addition, the redevelopment plans included revitalizing the Pinch District, which is the neighborhood east of the Pyramid. The city invested $30 million and hired O.T. Marshall Architects to help with the seismic retrofitting of the structure, which was funded by sales tax revenue in the surrounding area. O.T. Marshall and Insight Design Architects was later hired by Bass Pro Shops for its renovations and construction, which led to its opening April 29, 2015.[25] Construction was completed by W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company.

In addition to the retail store itself, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is home to an archery range, a shooting range, and a laser arcade. The building also includes a Wahlburghers Wild and an Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill with a bowling alley and a saltwater aquarium. The tallest freestanding elevator in America takes visitors to the Lookout at the Pyramid at the apex of the building, where people can take in the view on an indoor and outdoor observation deck or dine and drink at the Lookout, which is a restaurant, bar, and aquarium at the top of the building. At the base of the Pyramid is a 100-room hotel, the Big Cypress Lodge. Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid contains 600,000 gallons of water features and the largest collection of waterfowl and hunting-related equipment in the world.[26][failed verification]

Over 3 million people visited Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in 2015.[27] In 2015, Bass Pro Shops considered adding a zip-line and a second hotel to the Pyramid.[28]

In 2011, a drawing of the pyramid was incorporated into the standard design of Tennessee's state-issued driver's licenses alongside Nashville's AT&T Building, Knoxville's Sunsphere, and Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Memphis Pyramid

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Memphis Pyramid is a pyramid-shaped structure in , standing 321 feet (98 m) tall with base sides measuring 591 feet (180 m), constructed primarily of steel and glass in 1991 as the Pyramid Arena, a multi-purpose venue designed to evoke the ancient pyramids of . Originally built to house the Tigers men's basketball team, it later hosted games as the home of the from 2001 to 2004, marking it as the only arena to accommodate a full NBA regular season schedule. Following the 2004 opening of the more modern , the Pyramid fell into disuse due to its outdated facilities and poor sightlines for , remaining largely vacant for over a decade amid failed redevelopment proposals. In 2015, transformed the structure into a massive retail destination known as Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, featuring outdoor gear sales, a 103-room Big Cypress Lodge hotel suspended over an indoor swamp, bowling alleys, restaurants, an archery range, and a free offering views from the apex. This repurposing preserved the landmark's iconic silhouette while adapting it for commercial tourism, drawing millions of visitors annually and generating economic activity through lease revenues for the city.

Conception and Construction

Planning and Inspiration

The concept for pyramidal structures in Memphis originated in the , when local artist Mark Hartz proposed constructing three such edifices along the south bluffs of the , drawing inspiration from the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis—the namesake of the city founded in —to create distinctive landmarks overlooking the river. Hartz's vision aimed to capitalize on the geometric symbolism of pyramids as enduring monuments, aligning with Memphis's historical ties to river commerce and its aspiration for architectural icons amid post-World War II urban development. The idea lay dormant until the , when Hartz's son revived it amid Memphis's push for economic revitalization and a modern arena to replace aging facilities for the Tigers basketball team. Local entrepreneur John Tigrett, influenced by the pyramid's symbolic potential, advocated for a single, scaled-down version as a multifaceted venue for sports, concerts, and tourism, integrating it into broader plans for the Mud Island area to draw visitors and stimulate growth. Tigrett partnered with promoter Sidney Shlenker, former owner of the , who managed the project's planning and positioned it as a "tourist magnet" to elevate Memphis's profile similar to landmark arenas elsewhere. Planning emphasized the pyramid's 32-story height—matching that of the —and its location on the riverfront to evoke Memphis's Egyptian heritage while serving practical needs for a 20,000-seat arena, with approvals secured from city and county governments by 1988 leading to groundbreaking on September 15, 1989. The design rejected grander multi-pyramid schemes for fiscal realism but retained the form's allure as a bold, recognizable symbol intended to anchor entertainment districts and host events like tournaments and performances.

Design and Engineering

The Memphis Pyramid's design, developed by the architectural and engineering firm Rosser Fabrap International from 1989 to 1991, features a true pyramidal form with a square base spanning 591 feet per side and a of 321 feet, comparable to 32 stories. This geometry draws inspiration from ancient , evoking , while serving as a multi-purpose arena with an interior volume capable of accommodating 20,142 seats arranged around a central court. The steeper profile relative to proportional replicas allows for efficient use of the structure's to enclose the required without excessive material demands. Structural engineering was provided by and Associates, Inc., who engineered a robust framework to withstand loads from the cantilevered roof and seating tiers while maintaining clear sightlines. The primary construction materials include for the skeletal frame and for foundations and elements, clad externally in panels that replaced initial plans for or gold-tinted to reduce costs and reflectivity issues. This combination enables the to support its self-weight and environmental loads, with the skin contributing to a modern aesthetic distinct from ancient stone masonry. Construction oversight was managed by Huber, Hunt and Nichols, ensuring the integration of mechanical systems within the sloped envelope, including ramps and elevators for vertical circulation. The design's engineering prioritizes seismic stability and wind resistance, features later evaluated and enhanced during , but inherent to the original build through distributed load paths in the pyramidal geometry.

Construction Timeline and Costs

Construction of the Pyramid Arena began with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 15, 1989, following initial plans announced by city and county officials to build a $39 million venue shaped like an Egyptian pyramid. The event, dubbed the "Big Dig," featured a , pyramid-shaped lights, and , at an additional staging cost of $440,000 to the public. The project, funded primarily through public bonds issued by a joint city-county building authority, faced significant during the approximately two-year build period, ultimately totaling $65 million in public expenditures plus $4.5 million in private contributions. This overrun from the original $39 million budget stemmed from design complexities, including the tensile steel cable suspension system and the 32-story height requirement to accommodate sightlines, though specific line-item breakdowns for overruns remain undocumented in public records. The arena reached substantial completion and opened to the public on November 9, 1991, after rapid on-site assembly that prioritized the pyramid's iconic steel-membrane skin and internal rigging over extended phased construction. Ownership transferred to the City of Memphis and Shelby County upon opening, with ongoing management by a private operator under public oversight, reflecting the venue's role as a taxpayer-financed economic catalyst despite the budget exceedance.

Operational History

Opening and Initial Success

The Pyramid Arena opened on November 9, 1991, with an inaugural concert by country artists Naomi and , marking the debut of the 321-foot-tall structure along the in . Built at a cost of approximately $75 million to replace the outdated 11,200-seat , the facility featured a capacity of 20,142 seats and was intended as a multi-purpose venue for sports, concerts, and other events. As the new home of the Tigers men's team, the provided an immediate home-court advantage, with the Tigers achieving a 102-27 record (.791 ) over their first eight seasons from 1991 to 1999. The arena hosted successful games, drawing strong crowds bolstered by high-profile recruits such as Anfernee "Penny" , who joined the team in 1991 and helped elevate the program's visibility during the early 1990s. Attendance remained robust, reflecting the venue's appeal as a modern upgrade that accommodated growing fan interest in collegiate sports and entertainment in Memphis. Beyond basketball, the Pyramid's initial years saw it host various concerts and tournaments, contributing to its role as a key entertainment hub and generating economic activity through events that filled the large-capacity space. Despite minor operational glitches, such as a pipe burst on opening night that briefly flooded the floor, the arena's novel pyramid design and central location fostered early enthusiasm and positioned it as a symbol of Memphis's ambition for urban revitalization.

Sports and Entertainment Uses

The Pyramid Arena primarily served as a venue following its opening on November 9, 1991, hosting the Tigers men's team as its home court until the 2008–2009 season. The facility, with a seating capacity of approximately 20,142 for , accommodated large crowds for games and drew significant attendance during the Tigers' successful runs, including appearances in national tournaments. It also became the temporary home for the NBA's from the 2001–2002 season through the 2003–2004 season after the team's relocation from , marking the franchise's entry into professional basketball in the city. The arena hosted numerous Grizzlies games, contributing to the growth of interest in Memphis, though attendance and acoustics were later criticized as suboptimal compared to newer venues. Beyond collegiate and professional , the Pyramid hosted various tournaments, including the 1993 Great Midwest Conference men's and tournaments, the 1994 and 1997 Southeastern Conference men's tournaments, the 1995 and 1997 NCAA Southeast Regionals, and the 1996 tournament. Other sporting events included matches, such as a notable bout considered a highlight of its sports legacy. For entertainment, the arena functioned as a concert venue, featuring performances by artists like and hosting dozens of shows by major acts, family-oriented events, and circuses during its operational years. These uses underscored its role as a multipurpose facility, though programming declined after 2004 as the Grizzlies and Tigers transitioned to the .

Operational Challenges

The Pyramid Arena faced significant design-related operational difficulties from its inception, primarily stemming from its unconventional pyramidal shape, which compromised functionality as a multi-purpose venue. Poor acoustics plagued events, with the sloped interior causing echoes and muddled sound distribution that hindered concerts and broadcasts; this issue was noted contemporaneously by performers and critics, rendering it inferior to predecessors like the . Similarly, sightlines for spectators were suboptimal, as the steep geometry positioned upper-level seats excessively distant and elevated from the court or stage, exacerbating visibility problems during basketball games and shows. Seating and amenities further compounded user dissatisfaction, featuring cramped, narrow configurations that prioritized capacity—up to 20,142 for —over comfort, leading to complaints from attendees and limiting appeal for high-profile bookings. Lighting deficiencies made the interior one of the darker sports venues, requiring additional city expenditures for upgrades to mitigate the gloom. For professional athletes, logistical flaws disrupted routines; guard highlighted in the early 2000s how the lengthy trek to distant locker rooms—separated by the arena's expansive base—impeded pre-game preparation, contributing to its unsuitability for NBA standards without costly retrofits estimated in the millions. Initial operations were marred by infrastructural failures, including a pipe burst on opening night in November 1991 that flooded the court, alongside overflowing toilets inundating the basement, signaling early maintenance vulnerabilities in the glass-and-steel . The transparent pyramid skin also generated operational nuisances, such as blinding afternoon reflecting into adjacent areas, necessitating shades and visors for nearby workers and drivers, which strained daily management. These persistent issues, coupled with inadequate parking for peak crowds, eroded attendance post-novelty phase, fostering a reputation as the "Tomb of Doom" among locals and hastening the shift away from sports tenancy by 2004.

Closure and Vacancy Period

Factors Leading to Closure

The Pyramid Arena's transition to vacancy began in 2004 with the departure of its anchor tenants, the NBA's and the Tigers men's team, both of which relocated to the newly opened downtown. The , who had played at the Pyramid since their franchise moved from in 2001, cited the venue's outdated infrastructure as inadequate for professional , including limited luxury suite capacity and poor sightlines inherent to the pyramid's sloping design. Efforts to renovate the arena to meet NBA standards were abandoned due to estimated costs exceeding $20 million, rendering it economically unfeasible compared to constructing a purpose-built facility like , which offered modern amenities such as improved concessions, club seating, and event versatility. Post-relocation, the Pyramid faced severe operational challenges that accelerated its decline into disuse. A in the Grizzlies' lease prohibited major events from being booked at the Pyramid within a certain radius, drastically reducing concert and sports bookings; arena general manager reported in that this provision "virtually killed business," with attendance and revenue plummeting. The venue's remote location along the , coupled with competition from the centrally located —which hosted over 200 events annually by —further eroded its viability for entertainment uses. Sporadic events continued until the final concert on February 3, 2007, featuring and the Silver Bullet Band, after which maintenance costs for the underutilized 20,142-seat facility became unsustainable for the City of Memphis, leading to full closure and vacancy. Economically, the Pyramid's closure reflected broader issues of venue in an of rapid upgrades. Built in 1991 for $63 million primarily as a municipal arena, it lacked the revenue-generating features like extensive VIP areas and multi-purpose flexibility that became standard by the early , contributing to annual operating losses even during peak use. Without viable alternative tenants, the city's annual upkeep expenses—estimated at over $1 million by mid-decade—outweighed minimal income from occasional rentals, prompting officials to the structure rather than subsidize indefinite idleness.

Failed Reuse Attempts

Following the Pyramid Arena's closure in 2004 for renovations that were never fully realized, and its effective vacancy by 2007 after the relocated to , the City of Memphis solicited proposals to repurpose the structure, which incurred over $700,000 annually in utility costs alone during idleness. A reuse committee evaluated ideas, but most faltered due to financing shortfalls, legal barriers, or insufficient commitment from proponents. One early proposal involved converting the Pyramid into a , floated by former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham around 2005, but it collapsed primarily because remained illegal in , rendering the concept unviable without legislative changes. Similarly, an aquarium concept aimed to establish the world's tallest such facility inside the structure, pitched in the mid-2000s, but was abandoned owing to inadequate private investment and waning developer interest. Religious reuse gained traction in 2008 when Cummings Street Missionary Baptist Church submitted a $12 million bid to acquire and adapt the Pyramid as a and space, while World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church, led by Adrian Faulkner, expressed intent to purchase it outright for similar purposes. These initiatives, deemed among the more practical options due to lower operational demands than entertainment venues, ultimately failed as neither group could secure funding to cover the Pyramid's substantial upkeep expenses or negotiate favorable terms with the . Other schemes included a $250 million indoor and theme park development outlined in January , featuring 85 attractions, which advanced to presentations before officials but dissolved amid disputes over costs and feasibility. Negotiations for a outpost with also broke down around the same period, as the organization preferred a multi-site network over a Memphis-exclusive installation. and conversions were floated informally but gained no substantive traction, hampered by the building's inefficient vertical space utilization for such adaptations. These repeated setbacks prolonged the vacancy until 2010, when emerged as a viable tenant after years of impasse.

Redevelopment Process

Bass Pro Shops Involvement

In 2005, Johnny Morris, founder of , developed interest in redeveloping the vacant Memphis Pyramid following a fishing excursion on the adjacent to the structure. During the trip, arranged with local angler Bill Dance and company associate Jack Emmitt, Emmitt caught a 34-pound , which Morris interpreted as a positive omen for pursuing the project. This personal anecdote, recounted by Morris and corroborated in company-affiliated narratives, marked the inception of ' engagement, shifting focus from initial Memphis market considerations to anchoring the redevelopment in the iconic pyramid. Negotiations between and Memphis city officials extended over five years, culminating in the signing of a 55-year agreement in June 2010. Under the terms, committed to transforming the 1.1-million-square-foot facility into a retail and entertainment destination, including outdoor retail spaces, a , and attractions themed around , , and conservation. The agreement required Bass Pro to fund the interior renovations while the city handled exterior maintenance and provided incentives, reflecting prolonged discussions that included preliminary approvals like the Shelby County Board's 2008 endorsement of a development pact. Bass Pro Shops secured a $215 million financing package to support the redevelopment, with construction commencing in June 2012 after finalizing arrangements. This investment, substantially exceeding early estimates of $75-100 million, underscored the company's substantial financial stake in revitalizing the long-vacant landmark, positioning it as a major draw rather than a traditional retail outlet. The involvement preserved the pyramid's exterior while adapting its interior for experiential retail, aligning with Morris's vision of immersive outdoor-themed environments.

Renovation and Conversion Details


Bass Pro Shops initiated major renovations on the Memphis Pyramid in June 2012, following a 55-year lease agreement signed after five years of negotiations with city officials. The project transformed the 535,000-square-foot former arena into a retail, hospitality, and entertainment complex, with construction spanning until the grand opening on May 1, 2015. Total renovation costs reached approximately $215 million, financed through a combination of private investment from Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and public incentives exceeding $100 million from the City of Memphis. Structural reinforcements addressed the pyramid's original foundation vulnerabilities, which rested on unstable mud prone to settling and seismic risks. Engineers implemented below-ground seismic stabilization using driven combi-walls, consisting of HP14x73 H-piles spaced 15 to 20 feet apart and AZ19-700 sheeting, driven 80 feet deep with an ICE I-30 diesel hammer to confine soils and limit lateral movement to under one inch during a magnitude 6.5 earthquake. This reduced required pile depths from an initial 130 feet, avoiding more invasive drilling while enhancing stability against riverbank shifts. Additional tenant improvements included comprehensive structural evaluations to support new loads from retail fixtures, mechanical systems, and attractions. Interior conversion involved demolishing arena seating and installing an artificial swamp spanning multiple levels, complete with live , birds, and native plants to evoke an outdoor wilderness. A key engineering feat was the 28-story freestanding elevator, the tallest in the at 321 feet, designed with seismic drift controls to align with the pyramid's movement and bear rooftop mechanical loads. The Big Cypress Lodge, a 100-room , utilized light-gauge framing clad in log-cabin to mimic swamp cabins, integrated alongside features like a cantilevered , a 10,000-gallon aquarium , archery ranges, and bowling alleys. These modifications preserved the pyramid's stainless- exterior while repurposing its vast interior volume for immersive retail experiences.

Current Operations and Features

Retail and Commercial Elements

The at the Pyramid serves as the primary retail anchor within the Memphis Pyramid, encompassing 535,000 square feet across two floors and establishing it as the largest store in the network. This expansive space provides a comprehensive array of merchandise, including and equipment, camping supplies, boating accessories, apparel, footwear, home décor, and gift items. Specialized retail sections feature premium firearms at the Beretta Fine Gun Center and Gallery, offering shotguns, such as the , and related accessories, alongside pre-owned guns and off-road vehicles. The Dee-Licious Fudge & General Store complements the main offerings with homemade fudge, nuts, candies, and traditional canned goods. Commercial services integrated into the retail environment include a 25-yard range and a 25-yard range on the second floor, where customers may bring their own equipment to test under supervised conditions, subject to age restrictions and availability. A service center and shop further support enthusiasts by providing maintenance and sales. The store's layout emphasizes an immersive shopping experience, with displays arranged amid 100-foot trees and water features to evoke natural settings.

Hospitality and Attractions

The primary hospitality facility within at the Pyramid is Big Cypress Lodge, a 103-room, pet-friendly offering wilderness-themed accommodations overlooking the retail floors and . Room types include standard lodge rooms, Duck Cabins, Tree House Suites, Fly Fishing Lodge rooms, and a multi-bedroom Governors Suite, each featuring handcrafted furniture, electric fireplaces, luxury bathrooms with jetted tubs, complimentary , and access to a 24-hour fitness center. Hotel guests receive complimentary tickets to the Sky High Ride elevator and shuttle service to Memphis attractions, with additional amenities such as and event spaces for meetings or weddings. Key attractions emphasize experiential outdoor themes integrated into the structure. The Sky High Ride, a glass-enclosed elevator, transports visitors 28 stories to the Lookout at the pyramid's apex, providing 360-degree views of downtown Memphis, the river, and surrounding regions from a height of 321 feet. Below, the retail area incorporates a 1.5-acre cypress swamp with live exhibits, 100-foot-tall trees, and aquariums containing 600,000 gallons of featuring native species. The Fishbowl at the Pyramid offers an 18-lane , billiards, and an arcade, paired with casual dining at Uncle Buck's FishBowl & Grill, which serves seafood and American fare. Additional on-site dining includes the upscale Lookout at the Pyramid on the level and a Delta River Distillery for craft spirits tastings. These features, accessible to both visitors and lodge guests, draw approximately 2 million annual visitors, blending retail, recreation, and scenic overlooks.

Architectural and Structural Analysis

Key Design Features

The Memphis Pyramid's defining architectural feature is its tetrahedral form, with each of the four equilateral triangular faces rising from a square base measuring 591 feet on each side to an apex at 321 feet in height, equivalent to 32 stories. This geometry draws inspiration from the , though scaled down to approximately two-thirds its size, and covers a footprint of about 360,000 square feet on a 30-acre site along the . Structurally, the pyramid employs a space frame system capable of spanning the large interior volume without intermediate supports, enabling unobstructed views for spectators. The exterior cladding consists of approximately 6,000 panels per face, selected for their reflective properties to mimic the of ancient while providing durability and a modern aesthetic. One face incorporates extensive walls, facilitating natural illumination and transparency into the 20,142-seat below. Internally, the adapts the sloping pyramidal to a functional layout, with tiered seating arranged around a central on a compressed plane that rises toward the perimeter, though this geometry presents challenges for circulation and uniform sightlines. The base incorporates concrete elements for stability, with the overall form engineered to withstand regional seismic and wind loads inherent to its riverside location.

Engineering Innovations and Shortcomings

The Memphis Pyramid's , handled by & Associates, Inc., utilized a steel-framed clad in panels to achieve its iconic pyramidal form, standing 321 feet tall on a 591-foot square base constructed between 1989 and 1991. This design represented an innovative adaptation of ancient pyramidal geometry to a modern multi-purpose arena, enabling enclosure of 20,142 seats within a minimal footprint while evoking Memphis's historical ties to . However, the steep 51.5-degree slope of the pyramid's faces—mirroring the —created functional shortcomings for arena use, including obstructed sightlines from upper seating decks due to the inward-leaning walls and limited legroom, which patrons described as uncomfortable and vertigo-inducing. Poor acoustics further hampered event suitability, as the enclosed amplified echoes and muddied sound distribution. Geotechnical challenges emerged from the site's soft alluvial soils along the , with a low blow count layer (1-10) starting 15 feet below grade leading to differential settlement of up to 6 inches in footings supporting panels, causing cracks and separations at the upper deck mezzanine. Seismic vulnerabilities were also identified, particularly on the west side, where lateral spreading risked structural failure due to slope instability during earthquakes. During the 2012-2015 redevelopment for , engineering innovations addressed these issues through comprehensive evaluation per ASCE 41 standards, including installation of deep helical piles (averaging 58-94 feet) to stabilize foundations and mitigate settlement, alongside new standalone interior structures supported by existing framing for added retail and features. Below-ground seismic prevented lateral movement, enhancing overall resilience without altering the exterior . These interventions transformed prior shortcomings into a viable commercial asset, though ongoing maintenance needs, such as repairs for leaks in the , persisted.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Pre-Redevelopment Economic Outcomes

The Pyramid Arena, constructed between and 1991 at a cost of $65.5 million in public funds supplemented by $4.5 million in private contributions, was financed primarily through increases in the city's hotel-motel tax, with expectations of generating substantial economic returns via sports events, concerts, and . However, the project exceeded its initial $39 million budget, straining local taxpayers from inception, and failed to deliver projected revenues due to underutilization and competition from newer venues. During its primary use as the home of the NBA's Vancouver/Memphis from 2001 to 2004, the operated at financial losses, exemplified by a reported near-$200,000 deficit in 2002 alone, despite hosting professional games and occasional concerts. and event bookings remained inconsistent, hampered by the facility's outdated and suboptimal sightlines in a steeply angled design, which deterred major acts and sustained economic activity. This period underscored broader challenges in economics, where public subsidies for facilities often yield limited local benefits beyond team owners, as operating shortfalls were covered by municipal budgets without offsetting or job growth. Following the Grizzlies' relocation to the newly built in 2004—which itself required over $250 million in public investment partly motivated by the Pyramid's inadequacies—the arena sat largely vacant, hosting sporadic events like fishing tournaments and festivals but generating negligible . Annual maintenance and utility costs burdened taxpayers at approximately $500,000 to $600,000 per year during this vacancy phase, with minimal economic multiplier effects due to low foot traffic and failure to revitalize the surrounding downtown area. By 2010, the cumulative fiscal drag, including debt service on the original bonds, had positioned the Pyramid as a prominent municipal , prompting desperate redevelopment pursuits to mitigate ongoing losses.

Post-Redevelopment Effects and Incentives

The redevelopment of the Memphis Pyramid into the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, completed and opened on April 2, 2015, has generated measurable economic effects primarily through tourism and retail activity within the surrounding Tourism Development Zone (TDZ). In its first year of operation, the facility attracted over 3 million visitors, surpassing nearby Graceland's attendance by a factor of six and contributing to an initial surge in local sales tax revenues. Annual sales at the Bass Pro Shops outlet stabilized after an initial post-opening decline, reaching $56.3 million in fiscal year 2015 before dipping to approximately $45-49 million in subsequent years, with a modest year-over-year increase to $45.98 million in 2018—the first such gain since opening. These figures have supported broader downtown revitalization, with the Pyramid serving as an anchor for adjacent businesses and enhancing Memphis's appeal as a retail-tourism destination. The TDZ mechanism, which captures incremental sales taxes from hotels, motels, and restaurants in the zone to service project debt, has demonstrated financial viability post-redevelopment. In the first full year of Pyramid operations (ending June 30, 2016), TDZ revenues exceeded $20 million, sufficient to cover annual bond payments while generating surpluses allocated to additional initiatives. By 2016-2017, TDZ collections reached $21.8 million against debt service obligations of about $17 million, maintaining a pattern of overperformance that has allowed for annual surpluses estimated at $5 million as of 2018. This structure, financed through $197 million in municipal revenue bonds issued by the City of Memphis, has enabled debt repayment without drawing on general funds, though the bore over $100 million in upfront renovation costs. Incentives extended to Bass Pro Shops included a 55-year ground with a minimum annual rent of $1 million—paid consistently, including in —and reliance on TDZ-backed financing rather than direct corporate outlay for upgrades. These have yielded mixed scrutiny: while TDZ performance has met or exceeded projections for debt coverage, the lessee's rent remains below market rates for comparable properties, prompting questions in about whether Bass Pro fully met informal revenue-sharing expectations beyond the contractual minimum. Overall, the incentives have facilitated a turnaround from the Pyramid's prior vacancy, converting a fiscal liability into a revenue-positive asset that bolsters regional economics, though long-term returns depend on sustained visitor growth amid broader Memphis trends showing $4.3 billion in total impact for 2024.

Controversies and Public Debates

The construction of the Pyramid Arena in the late 1980s drew criticism for significant cost overruns and reliance on an overly ambitious promoter's vision. Initially budgeted at $42 million, the project escalated to $62 million, funded through bonds issued by the City of Memphis, Shelby County, and the , amid promises by developer Sidney Shlenker of transforming it into a multifaceted complex that failed to materialize due to inadequate planning and funding shortfalls. Critics argued the design, inspired by ancient but lacking modern arena essentials like luxury suites and adequate backstage facilities, rendered it unsuitable for sustained or large-scale events, contributing to early operational deficits. Following the relocation of the NBA's to the new in 2004, the arena's abandonment sparked widespread debate over its status as a fiscal burden, accruing $30 million in annual debt service without viable tenants or revenue streams. Local analyses highlighted how the structure's unique sloping design, while visually striking, proved inefficient for contemporary sports viewing and event logistics, leading to its rapid obsolescence and years of vacancy that symbolized misguided public investment in vanity projects. Public discourse emphasized the opportunity costs, with taxpayers footing while the facility generated negligible economic activity, fueling calls for or radical repurposing amid broader skepticism of sports infrastructure's long-term viability. The 2015 redevelopment into the Pyramid ignited debates over substantial public subsidies for a private retail conversion, totaling nearly $100 million in funds, including new market credits, a development zone capturing 9.25% sales taxes, and to service lingering debts. Proponents cited projected annual sales of $106 million and boosts, but critics, drawing from national patterns where Bass Pro developments received over $500 million in subsidies averaging $29 million per store with mixed job creation outcomes, questioned the deal's value and risk of unfulfilled promises. In 2021, local reporting raised concerns that Bass Pro was paying below the agreed $2.5 million annual rent, prompting scrutiny of contract enforcement and whether the incentives justified converting a public asset into a corporate amid broader critiques.

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