Historic Melrose School Revitalization
As part of the $200-million Accelerate Memphis investment in neighborhoods, one of the first projects underway is the redevelopment of the Historic Melrose Building. The 40,000 SF Building was built in 1938 and closed in 1981. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Its redevelopment is a Public Private Partner between the city of Memphis, John Stanley, and Self + Tucker Architects. STA is both a Project Developer and Architect. It is intended to be a National Model of Historic Preservation, Adaptive Reuse, and Sustainability. The building will be multi-use with the Orange Mound branch of the Memphis Public Libraries including a Genealogy Center and 26 senior apartments on the Second and Third Floors. Amenities provided for the Senior Residents include a Leasing Office, Movie Room, Fitness Center, laundry, and an Expansive Outdoor Deck. This innovative mix of uses will allow the building to be active and vibrant beyond the hours of the library and the genealogy center will provide opportunities for lifelong learning, historical research, youth programs, and cultural enrichment.
"Bad libraries only build collections. Good libraries build services. Great libraries build communities."
– R. David Lankes