Memphis Music Initiative Fire Station 3 Adaptive Reuse

198 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. , Memphis, TN 38103 United States

Building Area (sf): 10,160

Completion: May 2018

Architect of Record:

Self + Tucker Architects

Jimmie Tucker, FAIA,
Mario Walker, AIA
Cameron McLemore
Nikole Daniels

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Metro Construction
• Electrical: Toles & Associates + Jamnu Tahiliani (Structural Engineering)
  Innovative Engineering Services (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  Photos by Chad Melon Photography
  

This once-forgotten historic downtown firehouse is now a highly interactive office nurturing Memphis youth through music education. Now in its fourth phase of use, this building is an excellent example of preservation and adaptive reuse in the revitalizing south downtown corridor.

Fire Station 3 opened in 1890 as a state-of-the-art firehouse equipped with horse-drawn fire engines and adorned with red brick masonry with handcrafted limestone details. It was built to serve Beale Street, the rough and rowdy home of the Blues.

The former firehouse was leased to legendary Memphis producer Chips Moman In 1985. In preparation for use as a studio, the building was doubled in size with a new addition before a stint as 3 Alarm Studios, which served acts such as Bobby Womack and Ringo Starr. Later the building saw use in the 1990s as a nightclub. As efforts to revitalize downtown increased, the building hosted a summer-long pop-up beer garden event known as the Memphis Fire Haus in 2015.

Today, the building is located on the southwest edge of the FedEx Forum site and is the only remaining original downtown building south of Beale Street on the entire block.

Now in its fourth phase of use, the space is home to the Memphis Music Initiative (MMI), which focuses on music education for Black and Latino youth in high-poverty communities. While collaborating with MMI, we developed a project mission to transform the interior of the building into an innovative and highly interactive office while honoring its exterior character.

Though 125 years old, the historic exterior details of the building remained intact. Contrasting with the exterior, the building’s interior palette had become a lackluster mix of bare black interiors, painted structural timber, and 1980s neon, a reflection of its various uses.

The solution was to lighten the interior through a refreshed palette and spark creativity with touches of bold color. Interior glazing enhanced natural light and LEDs further expand the once-darkened space while prioritizing exterior views. Exposed interior brickwork adds to the historic charm and balances the new, light materials with the sturdy structural elements. Other interior improvements include the use of color and pattern arrangements to strategically define, link, and enhance workspaces. A new elevator connects the two floors, and all new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing with various system controls such as daylight and occupancy sensors were installed.

The exterior was restored, while new storefront glazing introduces natural light while neatly elevating the historic character of the building. Further exterior improvements include new drought-tolerant landscaping, new TPO roofing, building repainting, sidewalk replacement, and a resurfaced parking lot.
Steps away from Beale Street, this once abandoned firehouse is now full of vibrant amenities empowering MMI to continue its mission of impacting youth through the arts.