Memphis City Hall Renovations

125 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 United States

Building Area (sf): 5,000

Completion: 1/15/2021

Architect of Record:

Self + Tucker Architects

Jimmie Tucker, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C
Colby C. Mitchell, NOMA
Andrew Smith, AIA
Mario Walker, AIA

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Nickson General Contractors
• Electrical: Smith Seckman Reed - Engineering
  Perkins-Everitt Lighting Controls - Lighting Controls
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  1 Overlooking the Council Chamber - Steve Austell Photography
  2 The City Council Chambers under construction - Self Tucker Architects
  3 The Council Chamber as viewed from the audience - Steve Austell Photography
  4 Detailed shots of improvements - Steve Austell Photography
  5 The City Council seating area - Steve Austell Photography
  6 The view overlooking the crowd - Steve Austell Photography
  7 The Memphis Hall of Mayors - Steve Austell Photography
  8 The MLK Conference Room during construction - Self Tucker Architects
  9 The MLK Conference Room Overall - Steve Austell Photography
  10 The Moral Arc of the Universe - Steve Austell Photography
  11 MLK Portrait Overlooking the New Conference Room - Steve Austell Photography
  

The renovation of the Historic City of Memphis City Hall included improvements to The Council Chamber, the Hall of Mayors, and the Dr. M. L. King Jr. Conference Room that refresh the spaces while respecting the original building character.

Memphis City Hall designed in the 1960s by renowned modernist A. L. Aydelott, is one of the most important civic space in the city for public assembly. The goal of this renovation was to provide minimal yet impactful upgrades to the interior.

In the City Council Chamber, the plaster ceiling was abated, and the original recessed-canned light fixtures were replaced with new LEDs, all on smart dimmers and lighting controls. The carpet flooring was replaced anew, while the front, rear, middle and side aisles were refinished with an epoxy finish harmonic with the adjacent Lobby’s terrazzo flooring. The existing rear wall and alcove panels were also repainted with a gradient pattern apropos to the other finishes, repairs, and replacements, including new glass entry doors and reupholstered audience seating.

The City of Memphis had long needed a space to host meetings for large groups of people on the main floor of City Hall. Just north of the Hall of Mayors was a seldom used room initially designed as a Gallery, it was exceptionally finished with terrazzo floors and walls and a wood accent wall. In conjunction with MLK50, the architect designed the new Conference Room and the City commissioned local artist Lonnie Robinson to create a 6’ tall painting of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to set a tone of collaboration and community action within the space. The Hall of Mayors, which connects The Council Chamber and MLK Conference Room, also received upgrades to the skylights, increasing natural light and reviving an interior foyer.

These carefully tailored renovations enhanced the existing character of the Historic Memphis City Hall and prepared it as a space designed for community discussion and civic engagement.