About
Rising 10 stories downtown is a concrete icon whose Art Deco architecture has been, and still is, a beacon of hope in Memphis. Welcome to the Crosstown Concourse.
Our story begins with the public unveiling of the massive facility in 1927. Thousands gathered for the opening ceremony of the Sears Roebuck & Co. distribution center while countless others listened on the radio. Not only was the building an awe-inspiring structure, but it also represented much-needed work and income for the city.
The Sears Crosstown lived up to the hype and even became one of the nation’s most visited landmarks. However, in the late 1980s, Sears was in decline, and stores were closing. By 1993, this enormous center, once the heartbeat of Memphis, had stopped beating and become dormant.
For years, it sat empty, the elements and vandals slowly destroying the concrete deco. Its future looked dim until developers and community leaders saw its potential.
After a complete renovation, the Crosstown Concourse reopened in 2017, almost exactly ninety years after its original opening. Today, it is home to a mix of residential apartments, office spaces, retail stores, dining options, a high school, and even a fitness center.
More importantly, its 1.5 million square feet merges urban history with modern-day functionality. The Crosstown Concourse is a community hub for Memphis, making it a must-visit on your vacation.
Crosstown Concourse: Fun Facts & Cool Features
What makes visiting this once-magnificent retail center is that it’s near other key Memphis landmarks. For instance, start your day by exploring the vast acreage of Overton Park, followed by a visit to the on-site Memphis Zoo. End your day at Crosstown Concourse for an internationally-inspired meal at Global Cafe and a live music or art exhibit. The possibilities are endless!
Aside from retail and restaurants, Crosstown Concourse has facilities and resources to improve everyday life for locals. St. Jude leases 40 apartments for visiting doctors and families attending the hospital.
Church Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare facility, while the Church Health YMCA offers aerobic and anaerobic exercise classes and equipment. Add the pharmacy, dental, and optometry center, and the Concourse becomes a city within a city.
Speaking of city within a city, the Concourse is home to Crosstown High, a learner-centered public charter school. Here, students engage in meaningful, project-based work and authentic relationships to become self-directed, lifelong learners.
The arts shine at Crosstown with intimate stage settings like the Green Room to the Crosstown Theater, a 417-seat black box venue. Art galleries utilize the 7,000 square feet of space to showcase artists of all mediums. There is even a state-of-the-art recording studio and FM radio station as well.
Last but not least are the vast array of food and beverage spots. These range from Pop-A-Roos serving gourmet popcorn to Lucy J’s Bakery, delis, burger joints, Vietnamese cuisine, and cold libations at Crosstown Brewing and the Art Bar. While there’s something for every palate, nearby is the Cozy Corner Restaurant, which has served award-winning BBQ since 1977.
Whether you’re dining at global eateries, exploring the arts, or joining one of the workshops, Crosstown Concourse will enrich your Memphis vacation.
Getting There
Here are step-by-step driving directions from downtown Memphis to the Crosstown Concourse:
- Head east on Union Avenue.
- Turn left onto Cleveland Street and follow it for one mile.
- Turn left onto North Parkway and then right onto Watkins Street.
- Address: 1350 Concourse Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104.
Local Tips
- Check the events calendar to sync your visit with shows and workshops.
- Visit during weekday afternoons for smaller crowds.
- Parking is free and easily accessible.
- Bring a water bottle; hydration stations are throughout the building.
