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This list of tallest buildings in Memphis ranks completed buildings by height in the U.S. city of Memphis, Tennessee, the 28th largest city in the United States. The tallest building is the 100 North Main building at 430 ft (131m), built in 1965. The Sterick Building, 364 ft (111m) was the tallest building in the Southern United States when built in 1930, holding that title until 1932 when surpassed by the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. [1] The first skyscraper built in Memphis was the Dr. D.T. Porter Building, 131 ft (40m), in 1895. [2] The tallest man-made structure in the city is the 1003 ft (305.7m) Edwin L. Nass Tower 1, a guyed steel TV transmitting tower located at 5317 Crestview Road in northeast Memphis. [3]

Unlike many other downtowns in the Sun Belt, Memphis did not experience the high-rise building booms of the late 1980s or early 2000s. Only four buildings over 100m have been built in downtown Memphis since World War II: 100 North Main, Raymond James Tower, One Commerce Square, and First Tennessee Bank Building. [2] This has resulted in a smaller, more historic skyline compared to other nearby cities of similar age and population (compare to Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas/ Fort Worth, or St. Louis). Three of the tallest in the city are located in the upscale neighborhood of East Memphis: the Clark Tower, the Hilton Memphis, and the White Station Tower.

As of 2018 the long-delayed One Beale Street project getting a completely revised plan of 4 separate components: hotel, residential, office and garage. The hotel component will be built first, and received a ground-breaking date for January 2019. Also, a major renovation of the cities' tallest tower—100 North Main St—which currently sits vacant, was planned and the same owner/developer announced plans for a 26-story Loews brand highrise hotel. This will be built near city hall and the convention center downtown. In addition, there may be a 2nd tower built for either office or residential mixed-use.

With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to many projects worldwide in early 2020, some of Memphis' development projects were delayed and tabled, as-a-result. The Memphis Convention Center renovation, rebranded as Memphis Renasant Convention Center will open in early 2021, and the One Beale St project has been underway since late 2018 and progressing, after years of delays. The Pinch District has skyscraper proposals on the table, and the new development formerly known as "Union Row," has been renamed and rebranded as " The Walk on Union."

Tallest buildings

Rank Name Image Height
feet/ meters
Floors Year Notes
1 100 North Main 430/130 37 1965 Tallest building in Memphis since 1965. Tallest in Tennessee from 1965-1970. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently sits vacant, but major renovation underway. Will be gut renovated and completely repurposed for mainly hotel/residential/office usage. Completion estimated for 2024 roughly.
2 Raymond James Tower 403/123 21 1985 Includes the spire atop the building
3 Clark Tower 400/120 34 1971 Tallest building outside of downtown.
4 One Commerce Square 396/121 31 1973
5 Sterick Building 365/111 29 1930 Tallest building in Tennessee and the Southern United States from 1930-1957. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
6 First Horizon Bank Tower 332/101 25 1964
7 Hilton Memphis 329/100 24 1975 Tallest hotel in Memphis.
8 Memphis Pyramid 321/98 5 1991 7th-tallest pyramid and largest Bass Pro Shops in the world. Home to retail, restaurants, an observation deck, a hotel, a bowling alley, and the largest free-standing elevator in America.
9 The Renaissance Apartments 296/90 25 1968 Tallest residential building in Memphis.
10 Lincoln American Tower 290/88 22 1924 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
11 White Station Tower 280/85 22 1965
12 Exchange Building 264/80 20 1910 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
13 Le Bonheur Children's Hospital 251/77 12 2010
14 Sheraton Memphis 233/71 19 1985
15 Madison Hotel 219/67 16 1907 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
16 Number 10 Main 215/66 16 1910 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
17 The Tower at Peabody Place 202/62 15 1997
18 The Artesian 201/61 16 2015
19 Crosstown Concourse 188/57 14 1927 Former Sears retail store, offices, and catalog order processing warehouse.
20 88 Union Center 177/54 14 1927

Tallest future buildings

Under Construction

Buildings that are currently construction in Memphis and expected to rise above 200 feet (60 m) include:

Name Height
feet
Height
meters
Floors Year Notes
St. Jude Outpatient Office Building 265 81 15 2025 15 Story Outpatient Office Building
St. Jude Clinical Office Building 256 78 15 2025 15 Story Clinical Office Building
One Beale Grand Hyatt Hotel 225 69 20 2024 20 Story Grand Hyatt hotel being built on the One Beale St sight. Will be 3rd hotel on site, and will cater to higher end and business travelers.

Approved

Buildings that are approved for construction in Memphis and expected to rise above 200 feet (60 m) include:

Name Height
feet
Height
meters
Floors Year Notes
18 Main LLC Pinch District Office 325 99 22 2023 Proposed tower adjacent to downtown in the Pinch. Will be one of 5 or 6 towers.
18 Main LLC Mixed use Tower: Residential or office or hotel, TBD. 325 99 24 2023 5th highrise in Pinch Development.
18 Main LLC Pinch District Hotel 300 91 20 2024 Major high rise brand hotel.
18 Main LLC Pinch District Residential 300 91 22 2023 Second high rise residential tower in the Pinch District.
18 Main LLC Pinch District Residential 250 76 18 2024 Apartment/Condo high rise in the Pinch District.
The Walk on Union Hotel High Rise Phase I 225 69 12 2024 Starting phase I construction in Q4 2021. Phase II and III will be another 6 or 8 bldgs.
The Walk on Union Hotel and Residential Component 200 61 12 2024 Starting phase I construction in Q2 2021.
Sheraton Hotel Tower 2 Hotel High Rise Expansion 200 61 14 2023 300 new hotel rooms announced by Sheraton Downtown Memphis Hotel. New tower to be adjacent to existing.

Timeline of tallest buildings

This lists buildings that once held the title of tallest building in Memphis.

Name Street Address Years as tallest Height
feet
Height
meters
Floors
Number 10 Main 10 South Main Street 1904–1905 216 66 16
Madison Hotel 79 Madison Avenue 1905–1910 232 71 16
Exchange Building 9 North Second Street 1910–1924 264 80 19
Lincoln American Tower 60 North Main Street 1924-1930 290 88 22
Sterick Building 8 North Third Street 1930-1965 365 111 29
100 North Main 100 North Main Street 1965–present 430 130 37

References

  1. ^ Finger, Michael (December 4, 1997). "Memphis landmarks that have stood vacant for years, waiting for someone to bring them back to life". Memphis Flyer. No. 459.
  2. ^ a b "D.T. Porter Building, Memphis - 125484 - EMPORIS". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  3. ^ "FCC Registered Cell Phone and Antenna Towers in Memphis, Tennessee". City-data.com. Retrieved June 22, 2019.