The MED

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis is more commonly known as The MED.  The hospital's history dates back decades.  It serves the area's indigent population but also includes the only level one trauma center in the Midsouth (named after Elvis Presley).  The MED's campus is comprised of multiple buildings of varying ages.  However, the most prominent part of The MED is located on Jefferson Avenue and features a number of "pavilions."  Glass-enclosed pedestrian walkways connect the structures.  One of the pavilions actually straddles Jefferson Avenue.  Completed in the early 1980's, this area recently underwent some cosmetic improvements.  There has long been interest in the construction of a new MED.  A master plan is currently in the works.

Mud Island River Park

Featured in the chase scene from "The Firm," Mud Island River Park is not quite as busy as it was portrayed.  But it truly is a gem in downtown Memphis.  The park sits on the southern tip of Mud Island and is accessed by both road and a Swiss-made monorail.  The park was opened in the early 80's and features a scale model of the Mississippi River which feeds water into a mini Gulf of Mexico.  There is a marina, outdoor theater, and several restaurants at the park.  The Memphis Belle WWII bomber was once housed on the island but was moved to Dayton, Ohio.  Mud Island River Park was designed by noted Memphis architect Roy Harrover.

Main US Post Office

The main US Post Office in Memphis is located at 555 South Third, just south of the downtown core.  The building is one of the few true examples of a brutalist architecture in Memphis.  It features bush-hammered concrete and a very austere design.  It is reminscent of other government buildings of the late 60's and early 70's.  The main post office was completed in 1972 and replaced the grand Memphis Union Station train terminal which dated to 1912.  The main post office was named a few years ago in honor of longtime employee and civic leader Rev. Kenneth Whalum, Sr.

Sheffield High School

I'd like to take a more comprehensive look on Memphis City Schools in the future.  There are dozens of examples of mid-century modern buildings throughout the district.  Sheffield High School happened to be the focus of a recent story I was reporting..hence this post.  Sheffield is located in the Fox Meadows neighborhood of SE Memphis.  Sheffield was constructed in the 1960's.  It features three circular domed buildings.  Two house the gymnasium and cafeteria.  The other is for classrooms.  One thing I've noticed over the years is how the school district has preserved the look of many of its buildings.  That may be a result of budgetary constrictions more than anything.  

Shelby County Office Building

This building stands on Poplar between Second and Third Streets.  It was built in the 1950's as an office building for the Shelby County government.  A newer county building was later constructed as part of the Civic Center Plaza project in the 1960's.  This building has since housed a number of county offices, including the Shelby County Election Commission.  The upper floors featured elaborate grillwork over the windows.  The grillwork was removed in 2010 during renovations.

Sterick Building

The Sterick Building is an imposing 29 story tower located at Third and Madison in downtown Memphis.  It was known as "the Queen of Memphis" when completed in 1930 and was supposedly the tallest building in the South at the time.  Its name is a contraction of the building's original owners, Sterling and Hedrick.  The building eventually fell into decline and has been vacant since the 1980's.  The Sterick Building's future is uncertain.

Former C&I Bank Building

This wedge-shaped building was completed in 1974 as a C&I Bank.  It was most recently a Bank of America branch.  It closed several years ago and is now being developed as the campus of a specialized music school.  The building features a large atrium facing Madison Avenue.  Once filled with trees, plants, and a fountain -- the atrium is now empty.  This building won many awards in its time and was designed by Memphis architect Francis Gassner.

Civic Center Plaza

Civic Center Plaza includes Memphis City Hall, the Clifton Davis/Odell Horton Federal Building, TN state office building, and Shelby County administrative building.  It was developed in the 1960's as part of an urban renewal effort.  A Main Street trolley stop with clock tower was later added along the stretch of Main Street that runs through the plaza.  There are also fountains and numerous planters and trees.  City hall is by far the most interesting building architecturally.  It was completed in 1966.

Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar)

My day job requires routine trips to the Shelby County Justice Center (more commonly known as the Criminal Justice Center or 201 Poplar).  It was also known as the "glamour slammer" when it opened in the early 1980's.  I suppose that's because it was pretty nice for a criminal court/jail complex.  The 12 story building also houses the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, DA's Office, and multiple other law enforcement-related offices.
One interesting aspect of the building is that it was built around an existing church.  There is also a heliport on the roof.