Shuttered Pyramid arena in Memphis to be renovated for Bass Pro Shops

The vacant Pyramid arena in downtown Memphis will be transformed into a Bass Pro Shop. Instead of a 210-room hotel on three floors around The Pyramid's interior, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is considering building 60 to 80 'cabins' inside the building.
Jan. 2, 2013

The vacant Pyramid arena in downtown Memphis will be transformed into a Bass Pro Shop. Instead of a 210-room hotel on three floors around The Pyramid's interior, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is considering building 60 to 80 "cabins" inside the building.

Building a hotel became too expensive because of the load-bearing support that would be needed to construct it. The planned store will feature a Delta cypress swamp with a large body of water on the ground floor and cypress trees stretching to the upper reaches of the building. Plans also call for large water features, a general store, zip line, restaurant, and elevator to a two-story observation deck. The Downtown Memphis Commission contributed $215 million in bonds to fund the project.

(http://www.commercialappeal.com/business/memphis-bass-pro-transforming-shuttered-pyramid)

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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