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Sterick Building
The Sterick Building
Location8 N. B.B. King Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee
Coordinates35°8′41.09″N 90°2′59.33″W / 35.1447472°N 90.0498139°W / 35.1447472; -90.0498139
Built1928
ArchitectWyatt C. Hedrick
Architectural styleGothic Revival
NRHP reference No.78002636
Added to NRHPOctober 2, 1978

The Sterick Building is a historic skyscraper in Memphis, Tennessee. It was designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick & Co., and was completed in 1929—its name is a portmanteau of the original owners' names, Texas Governor Ross S. Sterling and Wyatt C. Hedrick. It is a gothic-style tower, 111 m (365 ft) tall with 31 floors, two of which are below grade.[1] When it opened it 1929 it was noted as the tallest building in the American South and remained so until 1957.[2] It stands at the corner of Madison Avenue and North B.B. King Boulevard.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Once called “the Queen of the South” and “the most complex, the most fabulous building in Memphis,” the Sterick Building is clad in limestone and had a crown with stone spires topped with a green tile roof; its own bank, pharmacy, barber shop, and beauty parlor; and stockbrokers' offices. It was also the regional headquarters for the FBI and Chrysler. The first three floors were made from granite and limestone. From the lobby, which was said to “rival the beauty of a Moorish castle,” its eight high-speed elevators ferried the building's 2,000+ workers and guests to the upper floors, including the Regency Room restaurant on the top floor.[2]

In the 1950's, Sterick suite 1916 was the office location of Stars, Inc. principal, Bob Neal, who managed famous musicians, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, among others. Neal established Elvis Presley Enterprises in February of 1955.

In 1956, New York real estate magnate, Lawrence Wien, purchased The Sterick and made significant cosmetic and systems upgrades, including adding air conditioning.

In 1994, some shots of the movie The Client were taken in and around the building.[3]

Decline

[edit]

As new, more modern office buildings were built in downtown Memphis in the 1960s, the building began to lose tenants and—despite a number of alterations— (including being repainted from its original color to yellow and tan in 1982), it has been left vacant since 1986. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Legal entanglements regarding the ownership of the building itself complicated and prevented potential redevelopments over the years as The Sterick was a land lease property wherein the original builders leased the land the building stands on for 99 years without buying the land outright. The land and the building were owned separately.[4] The land was owned by heirs of Napoleon Hill and the building's lease was held by Equitable Life Insurance Company. The original lease of land for the property, dating from 1926, required the $1,500 monthly payment to be paid in gold coin “of standard weight and fineness or its equivalent.” An unsuccessful 1975 lawsuit by the land owners sought to recalculate the rent at the then-current price of gold, or roughly $13,500 per month.[5]

Recent events

[edit]

Increasing residential growth in Downtown Memphis has made the Sterick Building, with its height and views over the Mississippi River, a candidate for residential conversion. Preservationists have also noted the possibility of tax credits and possible conservation easements for developers.[4]

In March 2023, Constellation Properties, purchased the Sterick Building. This acquisition also resolved longstanding issues related to a ground lease that had previously separated the ownership of the building from the land it occupies.[6]

Constellation plans to revitalize the historic skyscraper, aiming to restore its status as a central feature of the Downtown Memphis skyline.

[edit]
  • Backside view of the building, from Madison Ave.
    Backside view of the building, from Madison Ave.
  • Boarded-up entrance and first floor
    Boarded-up entrance and first floor
  • Front view
    Front view

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sterick Building

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Sterick Building is a 29-story Commercial Gothic skyscraper located at 8 North B.B. King Boulevard in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, standing at 347.6 feet tall and serving as a prominent landmark since its completion in 1929.[1][2] Constructed as the tallest building in Memphis—and the second-largest office complex in the South at the time—it was nicknamed the "Queen of Memphis" for its imposing presence and housed over 2,000 occupants in nearly 900 offices, along with amenities like a barber shop, beauty parlor, bank, and pharmacy.[1][2] Designed by Texas architect Wyatt C. Hedrick in collaboration with developer and future Texas Governor Ross E. Sterling, the building's name derives from a blend of "Sterling" and "Hedrick."[1][2] Construction began in November 1928 at a cost of $2.5 million, featuring a U-shaped base with granite and limestone facades, tiered setbacks for vertical emphasis, and a mansard roof topped with green terra cotta tiles.[1][2] Its architectural style exemplifies Commercial Gothic with ornate detailing, strong vertical lines, and a spire-like summit that dominated the skyline until the completion of the 100 North Main Building in 1965.[1][2] Added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 2, 1978, for its significance in architecture and commerce, the Sterick Building originally buzzed with activity as a hub for professionals, businesses, and even government offices, including the U.S. Secret Service during presidential visits.[1][2] However, it declined in the late 20th century, becoming vacant since 1986 and falling into disrepair, though it remains structurally sound.[2] In March 2023, local developer Stuart Harris acquired the property; as of 2025, redevelopment is progressing into a mixed-use tower with hotel, residential units, and retail, aided by historic tax credits, with completion expected by 2027.[2][3][4]

Architecture and Design

Exterior Design

The Sterick Building exemplifies Commercial Gothic architecture with subtle Art Deco influences, designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick to create a towering presence in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Located at the northeast corner of North B.B. King Boulevard (formerly North Third Street) and Madison Avenue, the 29-story structure rises to approximately 348 feet (106 meters), originally designed taller with Gothic finials and ornamental stone spires that contributed to its height of 365 feet (111 meters) and established it as the tallest building in the American South upon its completion in 1930, retaining that distinction until 1957.[5][6] These spires were removed after lightning strikes.[1] Its exterior features a base of polished Minnesota granite up to the ground level, transitioning to Indiana limestone cladding through the third floor and artificial stone for the upper stories, originally in a light grey finish but later treated with waterproofing and painted white. The facade emphasizes verticality through slender columns and mullions that guide the eye upward, culminating in a mansard roof covered in green terra-cotta tiles (subsequently painted). Tiered setbacks occur at the 13th, 18th, and 22nd stories, narrowing the building into a 16-story tower above a U-shaped base, which enhances its slender silhouette against the skyline.[1][5][7] Decorative elements include Gothic arches framing the rounded flat-arched plate glass windows at street level, along with ornamented stone spandrel panels adorned with fleurs-de-lis, heraldic devices, and rosettes on rust-colored panels. The building's robust limestone and cast-stone composition maintains its landmark status in Memphis's skyline, visible from the Mississippi River and dominating the surrounding intersection.[1][5][8]

Interior and Structural Features

The Sterick Building features a steel-frame structure encased in concrete for fireproofing, with massive concrete footings in the basement supporting its 29-story height.[1] The building's total floor area measures approximately 340,000 square feet, providing extensive space for office and commercial functions across its U-shaped floor plans on typical levels.[9] These floors, particularly the first through thirteenth, incorporate a central core housing elevators, toilets, and service areas, finished with quarter-sawed white oak woodwork, plaster and glass partitions, ceiling fans, and Venetian blinds to enhance usability in the 1920s office environment.[1] The grand entrance lobby, arranged in a cruciform plan, exemplifies Renaissance-style opulence with pink Italian and black Belgian marble walls and floors laid in a geometric maze pattern accented by pink granite.[1] Ornate vaulted plaster ceilings originally supported chandeliers, while brass fixtures, including a prominent mailbox, and cast iron stair rails adorned with cupids contribute to the hall's elegant atmosphere.[1] Though later remodeled with coral red and black marble and a suspended ceiling, these elements underscore the lobby's role as a focal point of internal grandeur.[1] Mechanical systems from the 1920s include two banks of four Otis Automatic Signal Control elevators with bronze doors operating at 900 feet per minute, divided into sets serving up to the thirteenth and twenty-ninth floors, respectively, along with passenger and freight capabilities.[1] Basement facilities house three original Kewanee portable boilers for heating via radiators (except the thirteenth floor, which uses electric heat), an air compressor for ventilation, a water well with filtering plant, an ice-making and refrigerating system, a high-pressure fire pump, and an automatic aerator.[1] Electrical setups align with era standards, supporting the building's comprehensive infrastructure for multi-tenant operations.[1] The ground floor was designed for commercial use, featuring large rounded flat-arched plate glass windows, cornices, and vaulted ceilings to accommodate retail and service spaces such as a bank, pharmacy, and other shops.[1] These areas, finished with polished Minnesota granite base courses and terrazzo floors, integrated seamlessly with the building's overall engineering to facilitate high-traffic public access.[1][10]

Construction and Opening

Development and Financing

The Sterick Building was developed as a joint real estate venture by Texas oilman Ross E. Sterling and architect Wyatt C. Hedrick, with the name "Sterick" derived from a portmanteau of their surnames.[1][8] Sterling, who later served as governor of Texas, provided the primary financial backing, while Hedrick, his son-in-law and founder of Wyatt C. Hedrick & Co., served as the lead architect and co-developer.[1][2] The project was announced in early 1928 amid Memphis's post-World War I economic expansion, which saw rapid commercial growth and a surge in skyscraper construction across the South.[8][7] Hedrick & Co. positioned the Sterick as a symbol of this prosperity, aiming to create one of the region's tallest office towers to meet rising demand for downtown commercial space.[1][8] Financing came entirely from private investments by Sterling and Hedrick, totaling $2.5 million—equivalent to approximately $45 million in 2025 dollars—without reliance on public funds or loans.[1][11] Sterling's oil wealth from Houston ventures enabled this ambitious outlay, funding the pre-construction planning and land acquisition for what would become a landmark investment.[2][12] The site was selected at the northeast corner of Third Street and Madison Avenue in downtown Memphis, a strategic choice to leverage the area's expanding commercial hub and proximity to major transportation routes.[1][2] This location, previously occupied by the Napoleon Hill residence, offered high visibility and accessibility, aligning with the developers' vision for a premier office destination.[1]

Construction Process and Timeline

Construction of the Sterick Building began in November 1928, following the announcement of the project earlier that year, reflecting the economic optimism of the late 1920s in Memphis.[8] The project was designed by the architectural firm Wyatt C. Hedrick & Co. of Fort Worth, Texas, featuring granite on the lower stories and Indiana limestone on the upper facade to support the building's Commercial Gothic style.[1] While specific details on labor are limited, the rapid pace of construction capitalized on the era's booming economy, enabling the erection of the 29-story structure as the tallest in the American South at the time.[8] Key engineering features included riveted steel beams within a steel-frame structure encased in concrete, providing stability for the building's height of 347 feet 6 inches and allowing for innovative amenities like the first signal-control elevators in Memphis, operating at 900 feet per minute.[1] The design was modified prior to major work to increase the height from an initial 26 stories to 29, demonstrating adaptive planning during the early phases.[7] These advancements ensured the building's structural integrity, with massive footings in the basement supporting the load-bearing framework. The 1929 stock market crash occurred during construction, introducing financial pressures that affected the developers but did not halt progress significantly, as much of the funding was secured beforehand.[7] Despite these challenges, the building reached structural completion in 1929 and was officially opened to the public in 1930, marking a milestone in Memphis's skyline development just after the economic downturn began.[1][2][11]

Early and Mid-20th Century History

Initial Tenants and Operations

Upon its opening in 1930, the Sterick Building served as a bustling commercial hub in downtown Memphis, with the ground floor dedicated to essential retail and service amenities that catered to tenants and visitors alike. These included the Sterick Building Bank, a pharmacy, and a barber shop, providing convenient on-site conveniences in line with the era's self-contained urban office towers.[8][2][6] The upper floors housed a diverse array of professional offices, primarily law firms, insurance companies, and real estate agencies, alongside other businesses such as the Western Union Telegraph Company, HumKo Company, U.S. District Court, and Hunter Fan and Motor Company, reflecting the building's role in accommodating Memphis's growing professional class.[1][8] Daily operations emphasized efficiency and comfort, featuring a doorman service to greet tenants and manage access, and a centralized coal-fired heating system that ensured year-round climate control via radiators throughout most floors.[8][1] The building's eight high-speed Otis elevators facilitated smooth vertical movement across its 29 stories and 879 offices, supporting occupancy that was initially low in the early 1930s due to the Great Depression but improved to near 100 percent by the 1950s, underscoring its success as a workplace for over 2,000 occupants.[8][7] Additional amenities, such as a fifth-floor barber shop, ladies' lounge with showers, and dedicated law library, enhanced the operational environment for professional users.[1][7] Economically, the Sterick Building symbolized Memphis's urban growth and resilience during the recovery from the Great Depression, anchoring the Madison Avenue financial district and hosting regional businesses that contributed to the city's post-1930s rebound as a commercial center in the South.[8][13][1] Maintenance practices were rigorous, with on-site staff handling annual upkeep to preserve its Gothic Revival facade.[8][13]

Notable Occupants and Events

During the mid-20th century, the Sterick Building housed several prominent federal agencies on its 12th floor, including a regional office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that operated from the 1930s through the 1940s and into the 1950s, overseeing investigations across the Southern United States alongside the U.S. Marshals Service, Secret Service, and narcotics agents.[7] The building also became a hub for broadcasting in the post-war era, with radio station WHHM—the city's fifth commercial station—launching operations from studios on the fourth floor in 1946, contributing to Memphis's growing media landscape through live programs and music broadcasts.[7] A significant event in the building's history occurred in 1956 when it was sold for $3.8 million to New York real estate investor Lawrence A. Wien, who subsequently invested in major upgrades such as the installation of air conditioning systems to modernize the aging structure and attract new tenants.[7]

Decline and Abandonment

Economic and Urban Factors

The decline of the Sterick Building in the 1960s was closely tied to broader patterns of suburban flight in Memphis, as businesses and residents increasingly relocated from downtown to emerging suburban areas like East Memphis. This migration accelerated following the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which intensified urban unease and prompted a rapid exodus of white middle-class families and commercial operations to the city's eastern suburbs.[14] By the early 1970s, federally mandated school desegregation through busing further fueled white flight, with approximately 40,000 white students leaving the Memphis public school system in just four years, contributing to a broader depopulation and economic disinvestment in the urban core.[15] Compounding this suburban shift were significant economic changes in commercial real estate, as modern office parks and fully air-conditioned buildings in outlying areas outcompeted older downtown structures like the Sterick. Developers in East Memphis began constructing contemporary office towers and parks during the late 1960s, such as the 1967 White Station Tower, which attracted tenants seeking updated amenities and easier access via expanding highways.[16] The Sterick, completed in 1930 with only partial air conditioning in select areas, struggled to compete against these new developments that offered comprehensive climate control, open floor plans, and proximity to suburban residential growth, leading to a gradual loss of prestige for downtown office spaces.[8] These factors culminated in a marked tenant exodus from the Sterick, with occupancy plummeting from near 100 percent in the 1950s to below 50 percent by the late 1970s, driven by outdated infrastructure and the pervasive urban decay in downtown Memphis. Businesses relocated to more vibrant suburban locales, leaving the building increasingly underutilized as maintenance costs rose amid falling revenues.[8] The 1970s oil crises further exacerbated vacancy rates by triggering national recessions that hit Memphis' manufacturing sector hard, contributing to an overall economic contraction in the region.[17][18]

Post-Vacancy Deterioration

Following its full vacancy in 1986, when the remaining small office tenants departed amid ongoing urban decline, the Sterick Building rapidly deteriorated due to prolonged neglect.[12][19] Unchecked water infiltration through the damaged roof and numerous broken windows caused extensive mold growth throughout the interiors, compromising the structural integrity and contributing to partial collapses in upper levels. Vandalism further accelerated the decay, with widespread breakage of windows allowing exposure to the elements and graffiti defacing walls and fixtures across multiple floors.[20][7] The building's unstable interiors posed significant safety hazards, including crumbling plaster and weakened flooring, while the presence of asbestos in walls and materials presented long-term health risks. Pigeon infestations added to the unsanitary conditions, with droppings accumulating in elevators and stairwells. The site was secured to deter trespassing and mitigate liabilities from the escalating dangers.[9] As a prominent emblem of downtown Memphis's urban blight, the Sterick was frequently portrayed in local media as the "ghost building" or a haunted landmark, evoking its eerie, forsaken presence against the skyline. Reports of illegal explorations by urban adventurers proliferated in the 2000s, drawn to its decaying grandeur despite the risks.[21][19]

Preservation Efforts

Historic Designation

The Sterick Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 2, 1978, with reference number 78002636, under Criteria A and C for its significance in commerce and architecture.[1][2] The nomination highlighted the building's role as a major commercial hub in Memphis during the early 20th century and its embodiment of the Commercial Gothic style prevalent in 1920s skyscraper design.[1] This federal recognition underscores the Sterick Building's architectural value as a prime example of 1920s Gothic Revival commercial skyscrapers, featuring tiered setbacks, vertical emphasis through columns and mullions, and delicate ornamentation that balances monumental scale with human proportions.[1] Completed in 1930, it stood as the tallest building in the South at the time, dominating the Memphis skyline and exemplifying the era's speculative office development.[1][2] Listing on the National Register provided eligibility for federal historic preservation tax incentives, including a 20% investment tax credit for certified rehabilitations of income-producing historic properties, as well as potential access to grants through programs like the Historic Preservation Fund. However, these benefits remained largely underutilized for decades due to the building's prolonged vacancy and complex ownership disputes that hindered redevelopment efforts.[8]

Pre-2023 Revival Attempts

In the 1980s, New York real estate investor Lawrence Wien, who had owned the Sterick Building since 1956, proposed converting it into a mixed-use development incorporating apartments and retail spaces to revitalize the aging structure. However, the initiative failed due to prohibitive renovation costs and insufficient funding sources.[8] During the early 2000s, local developers expressed interest in transforming the building into residential units, supported by city discussions on potential mixed-use redevelopment around 2005. These plans were ultimately abandoned amid the escalating expenses associated with asbestos remediation and the broader economic downturn of the 2008 recession.[8][5] In the 2010s, several developers showed interest in adaptive reuse projects, including potential hotel or apartment conversions, but efforts stalled repeatedly due to legal complications arising from the building's unique 99-year ground lease established in 1926, which separated land ownership from the structure itself. A notable 2015 proposal for a $30 million apartment renovation collapsed. Further interest in 2018 for mixed-use development also faltered without resolution.[8][22][23] Over these decades, overarching challenges consistently undermined revival efforts, including estimated rehabilitation costs surpassing $100 million, protracted legal battles over land rights tied to the 99-year lease held by entities like Equitable Holdings and the Grosvenor family, and external economic pressures from the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, which deterred investment in high-risk historic properties.[7][22]

Recent Redevelopment

2023 Acquisition

In March 2023, Constellation Properties, led by Memphis developer Stuart Harris, acquired the long-vacant Sterick Building through its affiliate Sterling Hedrick LLC.[24] The purchase, completed on March 31 for $10 million, marked a significant milestone by uniting ownership of the 29-story tower and its underlying land under a single entity for the first time since 1929.[25] Central to the deal was the negotiated early termination of a 99-year ground lease originating in 1929, originally set to expire in 2028, which had previously complicated redevelopment efforts by separating building and land titles.[26] This resolution addressed persistent legal and financial barriers that had stalled prior attempts to revive the property, enabling streamlined planning for its future.[27] Harris outlined initial redevelopment plans for a mixed-use conversion, including up to 260 residential units, retail spaces on lower floors, and potential office areas, aiming to transform the 340,000-square-foot structure into a vibrant downtown anchor.[13] To fund the ambitious project, the team pursued federal and state historic tax credits, leveraging the building's National Register of Historic Places status.[28] At an event hosted by Memphis Heritage Inc., Harris shared his vision to meticulously preserve the Sterick's signature Gothic Revival details—such as its ornate terra-cotta facade and lobby grandeur—while integrating modern sustainability features like energy-efficient systems and resilient materials to adapt the landmark for contemporary use.[28] This approach sought to honor the building's historical significance as the "Queen of Memphis" while ensuring its economic viability in a revitalizing urban core.[12]

2025 Progress and Future Plans

In April 2025, the Sterick Building hosted its first high-end dinner event in decades, with the Etowah Hunt Club organizing a multi-course meal in the partially restored lobby to demonstrate ongoing revitalization efforts.[4] The redevelopment project entails a total investment of approximately $175 million, encompassing critical infrastructure work such as asbestos abatement throughout the structure, interim roof repairs to prevent further water damage, and upgrades to the aging elevator shafts.[29] Initial phases focused on stabilization and hazardous material removal.[30][13][20] Looking ahead, full restoration is projected to conclude by the end of 2026, paving the way for a grand reopening in 2027 that will introduce around 250 residential units, a hotel, rooftop amenities including outdoor lounges, and ground-floor retail spaces to attract visitors and locals alike.[30][3][20] This mixed-use transformation builds on the 2023 acquisition by a local development team led by Stuart Harris. The initiative is anticipated to significantly revitalize downtown Memphis by enhancing tourism through new hospitality and retail offerings in a landmark site.[3][31]

References

  1. [PDF] national register of historic places inventory -- nomination form
  2. Sterick Building - Memphis Heritage Inc.
  3. Sterick Building | SAH ARCHIPEDIA
  4. The Sterick Building and Its Successors - The Contributor
  5. Sterick Building - Abandoned Southeast
  6. The Story of the Sterick Building - Memphis magazine
  7. Sterick Building in Downtown Memphis: What do new owners have ...
  8. "Sterick Building, Memphis, TN, 1959"
  9. Here's the first public look inside the Sterick Building in a generation
  10. Downtown Memphis' Sterick Building bought by local investors
  11. Tour the abandoned Sterick Building in Tennessee once home to ...
  12. History, music make Memphis a hot spot - Deseret News
  13. Merger of Memphis and County School Districts Revives Challenges
  14. The list plus: largest office buildings - The Business Journals
  15. 'On the Road to Taipei': The Memphis Runaway Blues | Facing South
  16. Memphis 50 Years Since King: The Unfinished Agenda
  17. Down, Though Not Quite Out, in Memphis - Southern Spirit Guide
  18. Here's how the Sterick Building's best use is being ironed out
  19. Skyline orphan: Sterick Building poses tall order - The Journal Record
  20. Haunted: The Many Ghosts of Memphis and Where to Find Them
  21. Stuart Harris behind the deal to buy, restore the Sterick Building
  22. Memphis historic places: See the changes coming to these 9 sites
  23. Sterick Building deal Stuart Harris Constellation redevelopment ...
  24. Historic Downtown Memphis Office Tower Sells to Developer - CoStar
  25. Exclusive: Sterick Building purchased by local team
  26. Sterick - Constellation Properties
  27. Long Live “The Queen of Memphis”
  28. Historic Memphis skyscraper shows signs of life as developer ...
  29. The Sterick is coming back to life! - Facebook
  30. Downtown Memphis: 100 N. Main, Sterick Building, Hotel Pontotoc ...
  31. Memphis' top 5 developments to watch in 2025
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