Pyramid, Memphis

The Pyramid Arena in Memphis Tennessee is considered one of the most uniquely designed structures on earth. The 32 story Pyramid is the third largest pyramid in the world and soars even taller than the Statue of Liberty or the Taj Mahal. It's pretty interesting to just drive by and view.

The arena seats 21,000 people and is home to the NBA Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Men's Basketball Programs. It's also well known for hosting national basketball tournaments, concerts and family shows.

OK, A little pun intended, there is construction going on underneath the Pyramid in this photo. The Pyramid, itself, has been completed for years now, since 1991. Construction, on the other hand, is never-ending in Memphis, so be prepared for possible (no, definite) delays, and plan accordingly. If you just look around, surely you must see the orange and white barrels with flashing lights scattered across the city, during your visit here. I don't think you can miss them.

The Pyramid is a 32-story, 20,000 seat arena used for a variety of events including concerts and basketball games. It was home to our Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis basketball teams, but now that the FedEx Forum has been completed, the Memphis Grizzlies games are played exclusively there, as that was the entire reason for building the new arena.

The Memphis Pyramid is one of the third largest pyramids in the world, and is taller that the statue of Liberty or Taj Mahal. The base covers 360,000 sq. ft. and is larger than six American football fields. Inside, there is actually more than a half a million square feet of usable space.

The Pyramid is also home to the Wonders exhibits. The latest attraction was the Masters of Florence: Glory and Genius at the Court of the Medici, featuring works by Michaelangelo, Leonardo daVinci, Raphael, and others. It was on display from April 22- October 3, 2004. Masters of Florence

Coming soon ...

April 22- October 30, 2005 will feature The Art of Motorcycles, including motorcycles from around the world, some of them dating back 25 years before cars were invented.
The Art of Motorcycles

Open daily from 9am - 7pm, including holidays.
Admission prices:
$15.00 Adults
$14.00 Seniors
$6.00 Children 5-12

The Pyramid in downtown Memphis was built for the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team who started playing there when it opened in 1991. It has since been coined "The Tomb of Doom." Since Memphis inherited the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team we have just finished building a new arena called the FedEx Forum. It was debated for some time that the University of Memphis basketball team should be able to play at the FedEx Forum as well because upkeep for the Pyramid will cost them more than if they just moved to the FedEx Forum. The original plan in the contract stated that the UofM would stay in the Pyramid for the life of the Pyramid, but it has now been overruled they have moved to the FedEx Forum. Since the University of Memphis Tigers left the Pyramid, they have yet to decide what they will do with the Pyramid, but I will keep you posted. In the meantime I'm sure they will continue to use it for concerts & other special events.

If you wonder why we built an arena shaped as a pyramid you must look at the history of Memphis. Memphis was actually named for a city in Egypt. I suppose this is because they are both cities on very large rivers.

This Pyramid also houses the Wonders Exhibit which brings wonders of the world to Memphis each year. This year it is on THE MASTERS OF FLORENCE: Glory & Genius in the Court of the Medici and will be in Memphis from April 23 - October 3, 2004.

PYRAMID ARENA
AT 321 FEET, THIS IS LARGEST PYRAMID IN THE WORLD
IS A 20 MNS VIDEO PRESENTATION OF THIS SYMBOL.
BACK THIS PYRAMID SOME BLOCKS AWAY IT IS
BEALE ST ALL SOUTHERN CUISINE
HARD ROCK CAFE, ELVIS PRESLEY RESTAURANT.

See the 'Czars' exhibit at the Pyramid. It's there until Sept 2002. It very well done - like a whole semester of Russian History and Art crammed into a 2-3 hour visit. If you are in Memphis this summer and you see decorated large-scale Faberge Eggs around town (a la Chicago Cows) they are related to this.

I think this is a cool looking building, it sits on the Mississippi River. The Pryamid is 32 stories high and features sports-music, and special events. Right off Highway 40.