The Chisca on Main (Memphis, Tennessee)
| restaurant, mixed-used building, apartments
USA /
Tennessee /
Memphis /
Memphis, Tennessee /
South Main Street, 272
World
/ USA
/ Tennessee
/ Memphis
World / United States / Tennessee
restaurant, mixed-used building, apartments
www.thechisca.com/
The Chisca on Main stands eight stories tall at 272 South Main.
The Chisca, originally built as a high-class hotel, has wonderful, interesting architectural elements and a place in Memphis history. Built in 1913, it stood as the largest hotel in its district. However, it was more utilitarian than luxury. The authors of Memphis: An Architectural Guide point out that "it was clearly built on the cheap." But, "on the cheap" in the 1900s was far better than most upscale new build today.
The building's historic significance comes partially from its connection to Elvis. From 1949–56, its mezzanine was the broadcast base for WHBQ radio's "Red, Hot, and Blue" program. It was from there that Dewey Phillips broadcast Elvis' first record on July 7, 1954. Elvis' first radio interview was also conducted in the hotel by Phillips.
The building was donated by the Snowden family to the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) for $10 in 1971. COGIC acquired the hotel along with other downtown properties with the intention of creating a group of developments to be called Saint Center. These plans never materialized but COGIC made the hotel their headquarters from the early 1980s to the late 1990s when it was abandoned because of its expensive upkeep in favor of Mason Temple.
In 2015, restoration began on the Chisca. The windows were replaced, letters repainted on the building, and a new sign added at the top. The building is now an apartment building.
The Chisca on Main stands eight stories tall at 272 South Main.
The Chisca, originally built as a high-class hotel, has wonderful, interesting architectural elements and a place in Memphis history. Built in 1913, it stood as the largest hotel in its district. However, it was more utilitarian than luxury. The authors of Memphis: An Architectural Guide point out that "it was clearly built on the cheap." But, "on the cheap" in the 1900s was far better than most upscale new build today.
The building's historic significance comes partially from its connection to Elvis. From 1949–56, its mezzanine was the broadcast base for WHBQ radio's "Red, Hot, and Blue" program. It was from there that Dewey Phillips broadcast Elvis' first record on July 7, 1954. Elvis' first radio interview was also conducted in the hotel by Phillips.
The building was donated by the Snowden family to the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) for $10 in 1971. COGIC acquired the hotel along with other downtown properties with the intention of creating a group of developments to be called Saint Center. These plans never materialized but COGIC made the hotel their headquarters from the early 1980s to the late 1990s when it was abandoned because of its expensive upkeep in favor of Mason Temple.
In 2015, restoration began on the Chisca. The windows were replaced, letters repainted on the building, and a new sign added at the top. The building is now an apartment building.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 35°8'17"N 90°3'20"W
- South End 1.2 km
- The Links Apartments and Golf Course 93 km
- Windsor Lake Apartments 319 km
- The Shoppes at Pinnacle Hills 396 km
- Glen at Polo Park apartment complex 406 km
- Country Club Apartments 483 km
- Fair Haven Senior Residences 486 km
- Green Country Village 488 km
- Port City Acres Apartments 490 km
- Royal Village Townhomes 571 km
- SoFo 0.5 km
- Downtown Memphis 0.7 km
- The Edge 1.4 km
- Peabody- Vance 2.1 km
- Washington Heights 2.4 km
- Medical District 2.4 km
- Shadowlawn 3.8 km
- Riverside 4.9 km
- Riverside Golf Course 5.1 km
- President's Island (Island Number 45) 7.8 km
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