Nashville-based Imagine Hospitality continues to progress plans for the conversion of the historic Morris Memorial Building from an office building to a hotel. The site is 3 blocks from the award-winning historic Hermitage Hotel in Downtown Nashville. The developer believes the Morris Building could be an opportunity to create a similar success given that most hotel projects are new construction. The project is located at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and 4th Avenue North.
“Most hotels in downtown are new construction and we have a unique opportunity to develop a hotel in this great location. The Morris Memorial Building was designed by famous African American architects McKissack & McKissack, and we thought it would be a perfect place for a hotel.”
Kal Patel, Owner of Imagine Hospitality
The National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. built the Morris Memorial Building in the mid-1920s for the Sunday School Publishing Board, serving the largest African American religious denomination in the world. The building is named for Reverend E. C. Morris, president of the National Baptist Convention during the time of planning. The property last sold for $10 Million according to public records. The developer has not yet released the name of the hotel brand.
Located in the Historic Black Business District, this neoclassical building illustrates the work of Moses McKissack. He and his brother Calvin founded McKissack and McKissack, a black architectural firm established in 1905. The firm became one of the first organized and staffed by African Americans in the United States. In 1990, Deryl McKissack established her own practice also named McKissack & McKissack, she was the fifth generation of her family to carry on the building tradition. Today the firm has corporate offices in Chicago & Washington D.C.
Shown for context only.
The developer continues to work with its team of architects, contractors, interior designers, and its development historian to bring this iconic building back to its former glory and to become a destination for locals and visitors. Here’s the quick rundown:
Morris Building
330 Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. Blvd.
| What’s Now | Vacant Office |
| What’s Next | Hotel |
| Developer | Imagine Hospitality |
| Architect | Consortium Architecture |
| Interiors | Studiio M |
| Civil | Catalyst Design |
| Keys | TBD |
Overall, the project will retain its current height; level 6 which is currently setback will frame the crown of the building. The smaller adjoining building structure on Dr. MLK Blvd appears to be demolished to make way for windows for new hotel rooms.
The preliminary plans include a 2,566 SF speakeasy on the basement level. The area has a large seating area which features private booths, a stage, bar, and a VIP lounge area. The hotel lobby has entrances which connect the interior space along MLK Blvd and 4th Avenue North. The lobby area has a lounge facing 4th Avenue as well as hotel rooms. The next 5 floors consist of hotel rooms which include the expansion of the 6th floor and a fitness center.
Construction is anticipated to start 4th quarter 2025.
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