Is Hard Rock Hotel Coming to Downtown Memphis? Unlikely, Says Report
A hot topic of discussion that has intrigued the locals and visitors alike in recent years is the much-rumoured addition of a Hard Rock Hotel to the Memphis skyline. Memphis, renowned for its rich musical history, and vibrant food and arts scene, has been abuzz with speculations of Hard Rock Hotel’s purported plans of setting up shop downtown. However, recent reports indicate that the project might not see the light of day.
Hopes Kindled and Dashed
The tale of the anticipated Hard Rock Hotel making its way to Memphis began back in 2014. The original plans put forth the idea of a hotel being built on top of the then-existing Hard Rock Cafe at 126 Beale St. As years passed, the discourses veered south on Beale Street, with talks of a potential redevelopment.
In April 2022, a hopeful ripple ensued when a zoning permit was filed with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. The detailed project proposal identified the site of the famed Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe and Honky Tonk as the grounds of the future hotel.
A Fall in Enthusiasm?
However, in a surprising turn of events, the enthusiasm around the potential Hard Rock Hotel seemed to deflate with the closure and subsequent sale of the Hard Rock Cafe. The iconic eatery announced in June 2023 its shutdown, resulting in 52 employees being let go.
While the Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel function autonomously under the umbrella of Hard Rock International, the cafe’s closure significantly marked a drop in the Hard Rock brand’s presence in the city. Since the filing of the 2022 permit, there have been no further developments or activities indicating the hotel’s imminent construction.
Unanswered Questions
A dense cloud of silence hangs over this project, with little to no updates coming either from local authorities or the company itself. Hard Rock Hotel chose not to respond to requests for comments on the speculated construction plans in Memphis.
Speculations around the establishment of the hotel in downtown Memphis were exacerbated, given the city’s strong cultural and historical ties to music. With Memphis being the heartland of American soul music and its thriving live music scene, many saw the Hard Rock Hotel as a perfect fit. However, without any official word or visible progress in recent years, the likelihood of the Hard Rock Hotel gracing the city is increasingly becoming uncertain.
Memphis Waits for an Answer
As Memphis awaits further information, the future of Hard Rock Hotel in the city remains wrapped in a shroud of speculation. While Memphis, nicknamed ‘Home of the Blues’ and ‘Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll’, offers an ideal setting for the hotel, it appears for now, the anticipated project is unlikely to materialise.
