Quick Facts
- Date: April 29, 2015 (grand opening events ran April 29–May 3, 2015)
- Location: The Pyramid (1 Bass Pro Drive), Downtown Memphis, along the Mississippi River
- Key Figures: Johnny Morris (Bass Pro Shops founder); City of Memphis; Mayor A.C. Wharton Jr.
- Project Milestones: 55-year lease executed in 2010; roughly four years of design and construction before opening
- Notable Features at Opening: Big Cypress Lodge hotel, Ducks Unlimited National Waterfowling Heritage Center, The Lookout observation deck, Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill, and nearly 600,000 gallons of indoor water features
- Jobs: About 600 Bass Pro associates at opening; more than 1,600 jobs including construction and operations
Main Story
On April 29, 2015, the Memphis Pyramid—an architectural icon of the 901 skyline—reopened as Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. The transformation marked the revival of a venue that had seen limited use after major tenants moved to FedExForum off Beale Street in 2004. Through a public–private effort, the City of Memphis and Bass Pro Shops reimagined the former arena as a mixed-use destination featuring a wilderness-themed hotel, immersive conservation exhibits, and sweeping views of Downtown and the river.
Opening week drew citywide coordination around parking and transit as Memphians and visitors explored the new attraction. Bass Pro’s founder Johnny Morris and city leaders framed the project as both an experiential retail venture and a catalytic riverfront asset for Memphis history and tourism. The build-out included the Ducks Unlimited National Waterfowling Heritage Center, an expansive indoor cypress swamp, restaurants, and an observation deck at the pyramid’s apex—positioning the site as a signature stop for families and outdoor enthusiasts in the Bluff City.
Legacy
The Pyramid’s reopening signaled a durable commitment to adaptive reuse in Downtown Memphis and the Pinch District, converting an underused landmark into a year-round destination that complements nearby cultural anchors and the riverfront. It strengthened the city’s tourism portfolio and created new employment, while adding a distinctive experience to the stories visitors and locals tell about Memphis, from Beale Street to the banks of the Mississippi. A decade on, Bass Pro at the Pyramid remains a visible reminder of how Memphis innovation can reimagine place and purpose.
Keywords: Memphis history, 901, Beale Street, Bluff City.
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