World's Largest Pyramid-Shaped Commercial Building: world record in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee, United States--The Memphis Pyramid, a pyramid-shaped building located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, United States, is 321 feet (98 m) (about 32 stories) tall and has base sides of 591 feet (180 m); it includes a retail store, an archery range, a shooting range, and a laser arcade, a Wahlburgher’s Wild and an Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill with a bowling alley and a saltwater aquarium, the tallest freestanding elevator in America, a restaurant, bar, and aquarium, a 100-room hotel, and the largest collection of waterfowl and hunting-related equipment in the world; the Memphis Pyramid sets the world record for being the World's Largest Pyramid-Shaped Commercial Building, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"The Memphis Pyramid, formerly known as the Great American Pyramid and the Pyramid Arena, is a pyramid-shaped building located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, United States, at the bank of the Mississippi River. Built in 1991 as a 20,142-seat arena, the facility was owned and operated jointly by the city of Memphis and Shelby County; Shelby County sold its share to Memphis in April 2009. Its structure plays on the city's namesake in Egypt, known for its ancient pyramids. It is 321 feet (98 m) (about 32 stories) tall and has base sides of 591 feet (180 m); it is by some measures the tenth-tallest pyramid in the world.
"The Memphis Pyramid has not been regularly used as a sports or entertainment venue since 2007. In 2015, the Pyramid re-opened as It is 321 feet (98 m) (about 32 stories) tall and has base sides of 591 feet (180 m).
"In addition to the retail store itself, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is home of an archery range, a shooting range, and a laser arcade. The building also includes a Wahlburgher’s Wild and an Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill with a bowling alley and a saltwater aquarium. The tallest freestanding elevator in America takes visitors to the Lookout at the Pyramid at the apex of the building, where people can take in the view on an indoor and outdoor observation deck or dine and drink at the Lookout, which is a restaurant, bar, and aquarium at the top of the building. At the base of the Pyramid is a 100-room hotel, the Big Cypress Lodge. Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid contains 600,000 gallons of water features and the largest collection of waterfowl and hunting-related equipment in the world." (Wikipedia)
"But to see one of the biggest pyramids on the planet, Americans don't need to leave the country — they can just travel to Tennessee and visit a Bass Pro Shops," the
Business Insider says.
In 2015, Memphis' 321-foot-tall "Great American Pyramid" reopened as a Bass Pro Shop megastore after being abandoned for roughly a decade. The 32-floor pyramid contains a hotel, an indoor swamp, and a bowling alley.
"At 321 feet, the building is a bit smaller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was originally 481 feet tall. It's still pretty massive, typically ranking in the top 10 tallest pyramids in the world (exact ranking varies based on how pyramids' sizes are measured)."
"While certainly a novelty, the Memphis Pyramid — previously known by a couple other names but mostly just called "the Pyramid" – isn’t at all random. It's a not-so-subtle nod to Memphis' ancient Egyptian namesake city, a former capital located south of pyramid-heavy modern day Giza on the west bank of the Nile," the Treehugger says.
"Opened two years before its flashier and more literal Las Vegas cousin in 1991, the Memphis Pyramid initially functioned as 20,000-seat sports and entertainment arena until 2004, when the $65 million structure was vacated by its main tenant, the Memphis Grizzlies, and subsequently shuttered.
"In 2015, the Memphis Pyramid reopened as a Bass Pro Shop. To recap, yes, Memphis was home to an abandoned pyramid for over a decade and, yes, it's now home to a taxidermy-adorned sporting and hunting goods retailer. In addition to Bass Pro Shops' largest store, the Memphis Pyramid also boasts a 100-room "wilderness hotel," indoor alligator habitat, bowling alley and nautical-themed eatery named Uncle Buck's FishBowl & Grill. Only in America."
"Commercial property, also called commercial real estate, investment property or income property, is real estate (buildings or land) intended to generate a profit, either from capital gains or rental income.
"Commercial property includes office buildings, medical centers, hotels, malls, retail stores, multifamily housing buildings, farm land, warehouses, and garages. In many states, residential property containing more than a certain number of units qualifies as commercial property for borrowing and tax purposes.
"Commercial buildings are buildings that are used for commercial purposes, and include office buildings, warehouses, and retail buildings (e.g. convenience stores, 'big box' stores, and shopping malls). In urban locations, a commercial building may combine functions, such as offices on levels 2–10, with retail on floor 1. When space allocated to multiple functions is significant, these buildings can be called multi-use. Local authorities commonly maintain strict regulations on commercial zoning, and have the authority to designate any zoned area as such; a business must be located in a commercial area or area zoned at least partially for commerce." (Wikipedia)
"Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis is one of the most dynamic and immersive retail experiences in the world. It’s more than a store; it’s an adventure! In addition to an incredible assortment of fishing, boating, hunting and outdoor gear, the mega store includes a 103-room hotel with treehouse cabins (see Big Cypress Lodge below); 600,000 gallons of water teeming with over 1,800 fish; a cypress swamp with alligator pools and duck aviaries; and a breathtaking observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel pyramid," the
TN Vacation says.
"Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid offers something for everyone, from the serious outdoor enthusiast to families looking to have fun."
"In 2015, billionaire entrepreneur Johnny Morris opened a hunting-and-fishing store that doubles as a theme park, with multiple bars and restaurants, a luxury lodge, and an entire swampland forest decorated with taxidermy—all shoved inside a replica Egyptian monument," the Outside Magazine says.
"What sets it apart is the fact that its cavernous interior has been converted into an outlet of Bass Pro Shops, the world’s largest hunting-and-fishing retailer, and the hotel rooms—set in the ring-shaped interior balconies that make up the pyramid’s two upper levels—overlook the store’s floor space. On the exterior of the pyramid, a 78-foot-tall re-creation of the company’s logo, featuring the eponymous fish in mid-leap, glows green above the Mississippi River at night.
"It’s not just Memphians who are allured by this building. I know a couple who live two hours south of the city, in rural Mississippi, and drive up once a month or so for the sole purpose of visiting the pyramid, because the place is a kind of Disneyland, a fine way to entertain and tucker out the kids. Stopping in to buy a discount-bin trucker hat—and taking an Instagram selfie—has become a road-trip rite of passage."
13 Things to Do at Bass Pro Shops Memphis:
1. Check out the animals who guard the stop signs outside. A variety of wooden creatures can be found around the complex and the toddler crew will love searching for them.
2. Keep your eyes peeled for the alligators. There are 4 alligators who call the 84,000 gallon pit home (and don’t worry, they can’t get
too close to visitors!
3. Choose a favorite species of fish and watch the waterfalls. There are daily fish feedings at 10am and 3pm that kids will enjoy. In total there are nearly 600,000 gallons of water features throughout the complex. Note: Keep a close eye on the toddler crew. The small bridges and paths, although close to the ground, are open or have wide roping which kids can easily slip through and fall into the streams.
4. Shop for everything from apparel, shoes, and hats to camping, fishing, and boating equipment to ATVs, boats, canoes, kayaks and everything else the adventurer might need. Smaller shops tailored to specific interests are located throughout the larger store complex.
5. Climb aboard some of the TRACKER boats available for purchase. Guests are allowed to climb aboard and explore the boats, which sit in the streams inside the complex.
6. Eat lunch or dinner at
Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill and check out the saltwater aquarium. Save time for a round of bowling at the Undersea Bowling Adventure, a 12 lane ocean themed bowling alley attached to the restaurant.
"Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center is the world’s largest Mercury outboard dealer. Therefore, we are able to offer the widest selection of motors at the best prices around. Rest assured you won’t get a Mercury motor for less anywhere else!
"Yes, we take trades! We offer a simple process for quickly providing you a good faith trade-in value on your current boat. Just click the link below and submit photos and information to get started," the Bass Pro Boating Center says.
"Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-most populous city in Tennessee after Nashville.
"Memphis is the fifth-most populous city in the Southeast, the nation's 28th-most populous overall, as well as the largest city bordering the Mississippi River and third largest metropolitan statistical area behind Greater St. Louis and the Twin Cities on the Mississippi River. The Memphis metropolitan area includes West Tennessee and the greater Mid-South region, which includes portions of neighboring Arkansas, Mississippi and the Missouri Bootheel. One of the more historic and culturally significant cities of the Southern United States, Memphis has a wide variety of landscapes and distinct neighborhoods.
"Memphis is a center for media and entertainment, notably a historic music scene. With blues clubs on Beale Street originating the unique Memphis blues sound, the city has been nicknamed the "Home of the Blues". Its music has continued to be shaped by a multicultural mix of influences: country, rock and roll, soul, and hip-hop.
"The city is home to a major professional sports team, the Grizzlies of the NBA and the Memphis Showboats of the USFL. Other attractions include Graceland, the Memphis Pyramid, Sun Studio, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Memphis-style barbecue has achieved international prominence, and the city hosts the annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. Higher-level educational institutions include the University of Memphis and Rhodes College." (Wikipedia)
"Everyone knows Bass Pro Shops. The giant, outdoor-focused retailer has locations all over the U.S., and sells clothing, gear for hunting, fishing, golfing, and other active adventures. However, the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid location in Memphis is unlike any other store in the nation, and definitely worth a visit when you are in town," the Nashville Fun For Families says.
"The Bass Pro Shops Pyramid opened to the public on April 29, 2015, and it should be on your list of must see attractions in Memphis. You can easily spend an afternoon exploring the store and all the different attractions inside.
"There are several aquariums throughout the store. You can see bass, alligator gar, catfish, and even alligators. The store has a marine biologist on staff and you can watch the daily fish feedings at 10 AM or 5 PM. Your visit to the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid is not complete without a ride in the tallest free-standing elevator in the country. Located in the middle of the store, it will take you up 28 stories to The Lookout, the observation deck at the top of the Pyramid. You can dine (click for Menus) while enjoying views of the Mississippi River and downtown Memphis."
"It was the most anticipated opening of a store in Memphis, ever. The $190-million plus Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid - former home to the NBA's Grizzlies - opened in late April welcoming 35,000 customers its first DAY," the USA Today 10 Best says.
"The massive retail space combines a giant-sized version of a Bass Pro shop with a a giant cypress wamp filled with fish and alligators, a 13-lane bowling alley, a 28-story freestanding glass elevator, a 120-room hotel that resembles a swanky lodge, an observation deck at the tip of the Pyramid (visit for a fee), and all manner of boats, ATVs, and more to explore.
"Oh, and a gun range, an archery range, a shooting gallery, and a hotel spa. So, let's just call it Disney for outdoorsy types. Or anyone who wants to marvel at the marriage of a pyramid and a hunting lodge. Weirdly, it just works."
Related world records:
