Pics of memphis (building, photos, student)

[Pearlbob]

I read that too. That it's been purchased and sold several times to people who wanted to renovate, but the costs always ended up being too high.

Originally Posted by strumpeace

The building at the center of the first photo (brownish color with copper-colored roof) is completely vacant and may soon be demolished. It's called the Sterick Building, and it once was one of the most beautiful buildings (both inside and out) in the city.

It would be a shame to see it torn down. Hopefully, someone with $$$ can think of a good use. (Apparently, remediation for the asbestos there would cost a fortune.)

[xxs78]

[xxs78]

Perhaps a sticky ?

[xxs78]

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

The building at the center of the first photo (brownish color with copper-colored roof) is completely vacant and may soon be demolished. It's called the Sterick Building, and it once was one of the most beautiful buildings (both inside and out) in the city.

It would be a shame to see it torn down. Hopefully, someone with $$$ can think of a good use. (Apparently, remediation for the asbestos there would cost a fortune.)

Where have you heard it will be demolished? Just idle speculation or an actual seed of possibility? If so, it'd be a tragedy.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

I read that too. That it's been purchased and sold several times to people who wanted to renovate, but the costs always ended up being too high.

I remember reading a piece in Memphis magazine (I think it was Ask Vance) that detailed the difficulty behind getting it sold. I think the land is owned by various Overton heirs who can't agree on things. Or something like that. I remember that it's not an easy process to sell the building in part because of WHO the owners have been. And something also strikes me that perhaps the building is owned by one party and the land is owned by another. It appeared very complex.

And that doesn't even go into the task of renovating the building itself.

[JMT]

Those are great pictures! It made me homesick for Memphis.

As for the Sterick Building, I will cry like a little girl if it's torn down. I wish I had a few million dollars so I could renovate it myself just to keep it from being torn down. It's such a beautiful building. I think I read somewhere that when it was built (1930) it was the tallest building in the South. It's the 5th tallest building in Memphis and is even taller than downtown's ugly First Tennessee tower.

[JoeCartpath]

I worked in the Sterick Building for a year back in the 70s. I was a neat old building with lots of granite wainscoting, etc. At the time, it was still fairly active. Malmo Advertising was on our floor. The Savarin restaurant on the ground floor was pretty popular. Still, there was lots of empty space even then.

[Pearlbob]

Very interesting!! I would assume if there is a major asbestos issue with the building, it will be close to impossible to demolish. And a ton of money to renovate. I would assume that is why it's stood vacant for so long.

Originally Posted by JoeCartpath

I worked in the Sterick Building for a year back in the 70s. I was a neat old building with lots of granite wainscoting, etc. At the time, it was still fairly active. Malmo Advertising was on our floor. The Savarin restaurant on the ground floor was pretty popular. Still, there was lots of empty space even then.

[strumpeace]

Here's my understanding of that building (and keep in mind that I'm no longer 'in the know') --

The building is not habitable due to asbestos. For anything to happen there, the walls and floors would have to torn out and replaced. Extremely difficult and costly.

However, demolishing the building, as pearlbob noted, would be more difficult and costly. IIRC, to destroy the building, the walls and floors would still have to be removed first. (You can't send asbestos flying through the streets of downtown in demolition dust. Major health hazard.)

The building is still structurally sound but is showing signs of deterioration due to neglect.

The owners have a dilemma. And it is complicated by the fact that the owners of the building do not own the ground.

I would love to see that building become a true mixed use center a la the First Security building (which is new, not a retrofit) in Little Rock. Retail/commercial on the bottom floor(s), a hotel on the middle floors, and condos on the upper floors. That would be a happening place.