Crown Plaza downtown to receive large-scale renovation

Plans for the Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown have been announced by Architecture, Incorporated, the local firm leading the hotel’s total $7 million renovation, including guest room renovations, public space upgrades and amenity relocations to maximize the hotel’s space and layout for guests.

The Crowne Plaza announced plans for renovation following its acquisition by an out-of-state private equity group for $12.6 million. The first phase of the project, which is expected to take about seven months and begin in September 2015, comes alongside a boom of development taking place in Downtown’s north end, including the recent opening of Bass Pro Shops and a potential major expansion by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The renovation will be done in phases to minimize interruption to the hotel’s operations and guests.

"The hotel is in a prime location near the Cook Convention Center and Bass Pro, but it unfortunately appears outdated alongside the numerous new options and recently renovated hotels in Memphis,” said Joey Hagan, Principal of Architecture, Inc. “This renovation will make Crowne Plaza a destination hotel for travelers, benefiting the Downtown area and showcasing the return on investment from renovating and adapting existing spaces in the Mid-South.”

Plans for the building include a complete renovation of all 230 guest rooms, including new fixtures, furniture, finishes and accessories. Significant remodeling and upgrades will be completed in the restaurant, including a relocated bar/lounge and a larger, more open dining room and buffet area. The hotel’s front entrance also will be reconfigured and relocated. Amenity changes include relocation of the fitness center to the ground floor, with new equipment and other upgrades. Finally, a variety of back-of-house changes will be made, including the relocation of the administration offices and upgrades to team member areas, among others.

“These renovations will bring new life to this hotel,” said Nagib Lakhani of RevMax Hospitality Consulting Services and representative for the new Crowne Plaza owners. “The plans, coupled with Architecture, Inc.’s experience in historic preservation and adaptive reuse, will make the Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown a premier choice for business and leisure travelers to the Mid-South.”