Quote:
Originally Posted by arkitekte
Other than who lived there, Graceland isn't anything to brag about architecturally, IMO. It's the fact that this looks like an over sized Graceland all of the way down to the fake chimneys on each side of the main section of the tower that makes it ugly. The setback of the main tower that doesn't share the same scale as the base which looks like a drop off at the country club or nursing home isn't very appealing either. They're trying to recreate an older feel, but if they're trying to ball on a budget that might come out looking extremely cheesy.
I also don't understand the constant comparisons of a proposal at Graceland which should attempt to be slightly urban to something at Dollywood.
The fact that this looks like something from a Disney resort is one reason why I think it's ugly. There's a lot that could have been done to avoid looking like a typical cheaply built hotel tower while still complementing the surrounding residential area.
The fact that it is all privately funded by Graceland would assure that the City doesn't have any say in it's layout, design, etc. That's what Graceland wanted to make sure exactly what they wanted was done. City officials know they don't have a voice in the matter, therefore, it's either all agree or risk not having a new development take place that you can brag about. Don't think that everyone sat down there overjoyed over that design.
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It's supposed to look like a bigger version of Graceland. The whole entire hotel will be all Elvis/Graceland-themed. It's not for business leaders or convention goers who aren't Elvis fans. It's for the fans who wanna take in the ultimate Elvis experience. Like I said, it's no different than a Disney resort or the new Dollywood's Dreammore. Actually bigger! And there's nothing "cheezy" about it.
The reason it's only 6 stories is due to its location. EPE probably felt that if it were any taller then residents wouldn't have liked it and possibly tried to delay or block it. This way, they now can go through with construction plans and have it opened in time for Elvis week 2015.
Look at it this way, it's a massive upgrade to the horrible looking and much smaller Heartbreak Hotel that they have now.
This is EPE's money being spent so the city crooks have no say in how it looks nor should they. Having it look more like a larger version of the home that will cater to those who visit Graceland, instead of just another typical tall tower conventional hotel, will be more appealing this way and bring more business to that part of town that never goes there now. That hotel will open closed doors that Whitehaven has never seen opened before. It's already being reported that a possibl upscale movie theater is headed to the nearby area now, and outside investors are interested in developing in that area.
And because it's in a TDZ (Tourist destination zone) the city will get money back on tax incentives for future developments that are publicly and/or privately funded.
Bottom line, this hotel is for ELVIS FANS not Memphis residents. If the fans like it, and I'm sure they will (especially the younger fans), then that's all that EPE cares about, which they should. It's not EPE's responsibility fix or clean up a part of town that the city for years neglected. Hell, as it is, most Memphians don't even care about Elvis nor go to Graceland. But they still want the money it generates.
Now I know why Elvis recorded the song 'Stranger In My Own Home Town'.
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