Downtown

Pinch District

photo of Pinch District mural
© 2017 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; all rights reserved

Situated along the Wolf River Lagoon, the Pinch District is one of Memphis’ oldest neighborhoods as well as the city’s oldest commercial district. Today, the area is on the verge of a renaissance, with a major $1.1 billion redevelopment project underway.

Just north of Downtown, the Pinch District is home to high culture and distinctive architecture. The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts is at home in the neighborhood’s Main Street corridor, and local landmarks such as the eye-catching Memphis Pyramid are a short stroll away. 

photo of Pinch District mural
© 2017 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; all rights reserved

Built in 2003, the 2,072-seat Cannon Center was designed using world-class acoustic standards; today the venue hosts symphonic concerts, touring theatrical productions, children’s theater and jazz productions. 

The Memphis Pyramid opened in 1991 as a concert and entertainment arena; since then the facility has taken on a new life. Today, a Bass Pro Shop and a lodge-inspired hotel occupy space inside the roughly 32-story building. 

The current redevelopment project will transform Pinch with new dynamic places to eat, drink, work, play and create. Plans include the construction of two boutique hotels, retail shops, apartments and office space.