One of downtown Memphis’ most-loved hotels could be coming back to life. The owners of the former DoubleTree Downtown Memphis at 185 Union Ave. are asking the city for a 20-year tax break to help fund a renovation expected to cost up to $63 million, a major reinvestment in one of downtown’s landmark buildings.
The 284-room hotel closed in late 2025 after an earlier renovation attempt stalled. The new plan, backed by Ohio-based Memphis K&U, would reopen the property as a four-star boutique/lifestyle hotel, bringing an estimated 75 jobs back to downtown. Renovation plans include a restaurant, bars, meeting space, and upgrades to the building’s overall structure and street-level frontage, adding new life and foot traffic to the block.
The building has a long history in downtown Memphis, originally opening as the Hotel Tennessee in 1927 before a major addition was added in the 1980s. If the tax incentive is approved, construction could begin later this year, with a reopening targeted for 2028.
The Downtown Memphis Commission‘s Center City Revenue Finance Corp. will consider the request at its July 14 board meeting.
