The city looked for years for an excuse to build a pyramid to create a civic identity. They finally found it in a sport/concert pavillion. Originally built as a 20,142-seat arena.
The Memphis Pyramid has not been regularly used as a sports or entertainment venue since 2004. The facility is currently being converted into a Bass Pro Shops megastore
including shopping, a hotel, restaurants, a bowling alley, and an archery range with an outdoor observation deck at its apex. (See link on Wikipedia.)
From John A: Memphis, Tennessee is home to many historic landmarks. Like Graceland, and Beale Street. But one of their biggest tourist magnets is their Bass Pro Shops. Usually, Bass Pro is the place to buy hunting and fishing gear. But the one in Memphis, it's less of a store, and more of a camo-colored amusement park. Source: 99% Invisible [LINK]
Basically, the execution of this concept was thoroughly botched, from failed pumping system to keep the floor from flooding to inadequate planning to accommodate NBA play. It was considered as an extension to the Memphis convention center, but that proved impractical (distance), and the mechanical systems needed upgrading in order to be re-purposed as a facility such as a midwestern branch of the Smithsonian. Sad.
What is it with these pyramid engineers and projects that goes wrong? Failure to communicate.
Link to more about The Pyramid Arena on wikipedia
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