New renderings for the Pyramid & "Gateway" Project (Memphis: lease, landscaping)

[Johnny Ryall]

Pictures: Bass Pro

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/144378580-21133626.jpg (broken link)
View From Above Main Floor looking down

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/143637000-21133628.jpg (broken link)
First floor. Cyprus swamp covers most of the area with walking areas breaking it up

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/143126720-21133630.jpg (broken link)
Perspective from floor levels shows person walking through the swamp with an alligator swimming overhead

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/145040680-21133635.jpg (broken link)
Redeveloped "Pinch District" and entrance to Bass Pro

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/144260220-21133638.jpg (broken link)
Plans target areas around the Pyramid for redevelopment

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/143536920-21133640.jpg (broken link)
Waterfalls and other landscaping will surround the exterior of the Pyramid

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2010-07/145791760-21133642.jpg (broken link)
Areas surrounding new store

[maximus10]

Looking forward to see what happens to the Pinch District. The news outlets are saying that Poag & McEwen will be in charge of that. Putting them in charge of the Pinch District is very good news for that area. They know their stuff.

[Kabluey]

I'd like for them/the city to move Ramsses just down the street, so he looks toward the Pyramid, from some location (St. Jude). Then line the street with sphinxes and obelisks. Not hundreds, but maybe a couple dozen. People and corporations can pay money for their name on one, maybe even get to design them within reason.

That would make that street a destination and assist the draw factor by introducing an public element of art/culture to retail and healthcare.

I don't like the cookie-cutter/cheap looking rustic entrance being added to the Pyramid. Surely they can do something more tasteful than that.

[kingchef]

i like several of these ideas. perhaps, if the bricks have to be moved, they could be used as a mixed walk way, or placed in clusters in new sidewalks in the district. maybe a sound wall could be erected using them as a focal point, and then place a stone explaining their original location, the connection to the citizens of memphis, as both memphians and local companies purchased them. maybe one of the boulevards, streets, etc. could be named ramsey's whatever. it could either be the terminus or the beginning of the walk. what about designating a trolley, by name and destination into the district. the signs, symbols, bricks, and the statue could all reflect back to the pyradmid structure, itself. as an incentive to ride the dedicated trolley, the inclinator could be another destination for those who specifically want to go to the top of the 32 story structure. it gives bass pro additional traffic, a fee to ride the inclinator would produce additional income, and additional views of the city and the harbor would be gravy.

i also like the idea of the gateway concept. i think the pyramid should, however, remain relatively unchanged. if you are so dumb that you can't find or figure out where the main entrance is, then you probably need to be paired w/ someone who has been certified as having a brain and brain stem.

the key to this development is working in the tasteful incorporation of the pyramid, the bass pro business concept, the pinch district and what it represents to memphis in a positive light. btw, did i dream that the pyramid would sport a climbing rock wall, or was that someone's suggestion? i think that the administration should ask for ideas from citizens, businesses, and urban designers.

[Kabluey]

I think I suggested it in another thread comparing the focus of BPS vs another outdoor lifestyle store like REI. Both are outdoorsy, but don't overlap much. I was hoping that other outdoor concepts be included at least in the gateway project/neighborhood, if not directly incorporated in the PYramid. These would include climbing wall, gym, skateboard/bmx park. I know BRIDGES has a wall, but I don't know how public it is.

[Johnny Ryall]

Memphis development agency approves up to $143M in bonds for Bass Pro, Pinnacle

Memphis development agency approves up to $143M in bonds for Bass Pro, Pinnacle » The Commercial Appeal

[Johnny Ryall]

Bass Pro, Pyramid Project Grows
Memphis Daily News

The adaptive reuse of The Pyramid by Bass Pro Shops got about $105 million larger in scope this week. The project now includes a $75 million city buyout of the county’s interest in the Memphis Cook Convention Center, $5 million more for what had been a $10 million city purchase of the Lone Star concrete facility by The Pyramid and a $25 million seismic retrofit of The Pyramid and the land bordering the Wolf River Harbor.

Bass Pro, Pyramid Project Grows - Memphis Daily News


The Bass Pro Shops conversion of The Pyramid has grown to become a broader revitalization of the area including the Memphis Cook Convention Center and other areas near The Pyramid. The Wharton administration plans to pursue the goals over a longer period of time.

[Johnny Ryall]

The Pyramid's proposed new look
Memphis Business Journal

Slideshow: The Pyramid's proposed new look - Memphis Business Journal

COURTESY CITY OF MEMPHIS

Bass Pro is still on the hook for its Pyramid lease and is the cornerstone of the City of Memphis' broader revitalization plans for the area.

COURTESY CITY OF MEMPHIS

Artist's rendering of the proposed Bass Pro Pyramid interior

COURTESY CITY OF MEMPHIS

Artist's rendering of the revamped Pinch District, the neighborhood surrounding Downtown's Pyramid

COURTESY CITY OF MEMPHIS

Artist's rendering of improvements to Memphis Cook Convention Center

[latunafish]

so, what is the lonestar acquisition?

[Johnny Ryall]

Originally Posted by latunafish

so, what is the lonestar acquisition?

Buying out & relocating their industrial riverfront property so that beautification efforts & the river bluff walk can proceed.