Save The Historic Chisca
For many years, Memphis Heritage has been working to bring awareness to
the Memphis community about the importance of saving the historic Chisca
Hotel located in the South Main National Historic District. We have
worked with at least two developers that were not able to make
redevelopment happen.
Now is the time for the rebirth of the
historic Chisca. The best redevelopment plan to come along for the
Chisca is underway.. Memphis Heritage joins with the Downtown Memphis
Commission in alerting everyone about this important step in completing
the gap from Beale Street to the South Main Arts District.
Please read the information below and be sure to click to sign the petition to let the City Council and
Mayor Wharton know how important this project is to all of Memphis.
You can also visit Save the historic CHISCA NOW on Facebook for the latest information.
Please feel free to forward this to your friends! Thanks!
The Downtown Memphis Commission is committed to remedying the blight and helping preserve this key landmark for our city, and we need you to voice your support by signing the petition below:
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION
The vacant Chisca Hotel on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Main Street has long been viewed as a key development site in Downtown Memphis' renewal. Located a block from The Orpheum and Beale Street, and serving as a gateway to the South Main Historic Arts District, The Chisca's two-decade vacancy has created blight in what could, and should, be an apex of vitality and vibrancy in the Core of Downtown.
Make or Break Time for The Chisca
Developing The Chisca would be one of the most challenging projects to undertake in Downtown Memphis. An experienced development team is poised to take on the difficult challenge of transforming this long dormant landmark building into a residential and retail active use. Development of The Chisca will serve as a catalyst to activate a renovation plan for the area, building on The Orpheum's $10 million expansion project that is underway.
Saving the Chisca will:
- Serve as a connector between the vibrant South Main neighborhood and the Core of Downtown. Currently The Chisca sits as an eyesore and barrier between the two thriving neighborhoods.
- Establish an important gateway to South Main.
- Preserve the home of Elvis first on-air recording which literally changed the world.
- Fight blight in a key hub for the city which is an embarrassment for our city.
- Provide more affordable housing opportunities
- Activate a renovation plan for the area and build on surrounding development momentum
The Chisca was the largest hotel at the time it was built in 1913, and was seen as less of luxury hotel than an accommodation for the middle class. A historic event occurred in The Chisca that quite literally changed the world forever. From 1949-1956, WHBQ radio's Dewey Phillips broadcast his popular show "Red, Hot and Blue". On July 7, 1954, Dewey played Elvis Presley for the first time on radio with Elvis' first recording of "That's All Right, Mama." Indeed the world has never been the same!