Universal Life Insurance Building
The Universal Life Insurance Building was designed by the renowned architectural firm McKissack & McKissack in 1949. The limestone exterior has the Egyptian Revival architectural motif and essential historical qualities of Black Modernism. The mission-driven adaptive reuse project was planned as the office and studio of Self + Tucker Architects and as a hub for entrepreneurs and creatives. In 2006, we proudly placed the structure on the National Register of Historic Places. To support its historic preservation objectives, the building’s envelope and the main corridors have been designed to meet the requirements for Historic Tax Credits. Self Tucker Properties aimed to revitalize its use through a historically responsible and environmentally sensitive process that incorporated energy efficient systems, recycled products and waste reduction practices. Consequently, the Universal Life Insurance Building met the requirements to achieve LEED Gold Certification. It has also been awarded the nation's highest preservation award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Richard H. Driehaus Award. In the future we envision the Universal Life Insurance Building will feature a green roof and solar power. These improvements will allow the building to be even more sustainable and a community model for the use of solar power. The redevelopment of the Universal Life Insurance Building was a Public-Private Partnership with the City of Memphis. The building is an important asset along the Memphis Heritage Trail.
"We saw this as a great opportunity for development, not only for the building itself, but for the surrounding area. "
– Juan Self