The Caption by Hyatt breathes new life into Beale and Front streets near the Mississippi River in Memphis, showcasing contemporary architecture and the repurposing of downtown’s 1878 William C. Ellis and Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop.

The deteriorating industrial buildings remained vacant for decades, but BBG Design honored their historical value by repurposing salvageable structures for the hotel’s conference and meeting space and in the Caption’s pedestrian level facade, its unique beer garden courtyard and its first two public levels.

Despite the challenges of historic integration and supply shortages during the pandemic, the team used innovative thinking to transform the old Ellis Building into the new hotel while preserving the 130-year-old brick and cast-iron facade elements.

The project’s logistical challenges of limited space for staging and construction downtown were overcome by scheduling deliveries during off hours.

The project adaptively reused salvageable structures of the historic building, elevating the facade and creating an active pedestrian level.

The lifestyle hotel is the first Caption branded property to be built anywhere in the world and claims its own urban prominence and distinctive level of approachable luxury at its downtown location. The 136-key tower rises from Levels 3 to 10 and provides guests with spectacular city and river views.