Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, is very happy to hear of this wonderful news!!
Article from the Commercial Appeal
Plans also include upscale restaurant and sports bar
April 30, 2014
Mike Brown - The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. is considering plans for a 450-room hotel, upscale restaurant and sports bar on its grounds alongside Graceland.
Plans for the construction site were filed Wednesday afternoon with city of Memphis land use officials, according to Kevin Kern, Elvis Presley Enterprises public relations director.
Hnedak Bobo Group, a Memphis architectural firm, has been hired to design the new hotel, tentatively scheduled to open in 2015 under the name The Guesthouse at Graceland, Elvis Presley Enterprises said.
Putting up a new hotel follows the recent launch of a $43 million modernization of the boulevard, part of a larger goal of boosting Elvis Presley tourism above the 600,000 annual visitors to Graceland.
When Elvis Presley Enterprises changed hands recently, the new owners immediately sketched out ideas to expand Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel and display more Elvis artifacts.
CORE Media Group of Los Angeles in December 2013 sold its 85-percent share of Elvis Presley Enterprises to New Jersey entrepreneur Joel Weinshanker and New York marketer Authentic Brands Group. Lisa Marie Presley continues to own 15 percent of the business, and Graceland Mansion.
source: http://www.commercialappeal.com
Article from My Fox Memphis:
Apr 30, 2014 5:08 PM CDTUpdated: Apr 30, 2014 5:08 PM CDT
Tim Andrassy / FOX13 News
WHITEHAVEN, Tenn. (FOX13) -Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) is considering the development of a new hotel at Graceland to serve visitors who travel to Memphis to tour the famous home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
The proposed 450-room hotel, tentatively called "The Guesthouse at Graceland," would be constructed along Elvis Presley Boulevard on the same side of the street as the mansion, on land acquired by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. in 1994.
"When we started exploring plans for long term growth, a new hotel facility was a priority," said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. "We feel the time is right for growth at Graceland and we are excited about this proposed project, which would enable Graceland to enhance the visitor experience and deliver an even higher level of world class hospitality and customer service to the hundreds of thousands of guests who visit from around the world each year."
EPE management, along with the new owners of Graceland operations, who came aboard last November, have been exploring the best ways to make investments in the Graceland attraction in order to ensure its continued success for years to come. The project would also provide an opportunity for EPE to increase hiring in Memphis, and, working closely with state and city government, improve the Elvis Presley Boulevard corridor.
"As Memphis City Council representative for the Whitehaven community, I fully support the proposal by Graceland management to build a new world class hotel facility, bringing jobs to our neighborhood and an economic boost to the city as a whole," said Memphis City Councilman Harold Collins. "My goal as Councilman will be to help ensure the proposed hotel becomes a reality as the renaissance continues along Elvis Presley Boulevard."
Memphis-based architectural firm Hnedak Bobo Group has been working with EPE on developing potential plans for the hotel project, which would be expected to open in August 2015. Current plans include a full service restaurant, a sports bar lounge and meeting/event space.
If the project proceeds, the impact to the surrounding neighborhood during construction is expected to be minimal. Community meetings will take place in the coming days to discuss potential plans and seek feedback, with public notices going out to area residents this week.
Nearly 32 years after opening to the public for tours, Elvis Presley's Graceland continues to be one of the most beloved landmarks in music and pop culture. In 2013, Graceland was voted the #1 Iconic Attraction in America by USA Today and 10Best.com readers. The attraction has played a crucial role in Memphis tourism, with Graceland visitors making a major economic impact on the city of Memphis and in the local Whitehaven community.
source: http://www.myfoxmemphis.com