History reborn: Grand opening celebrates Lowenstein renovation
March 18, 2009 | Commercial Appeal Memphis
Memphis, TN (March 18, 2009) – The old Lowenstein department store building is an eyesore no more.
A $20 million renovation has brought the Downtown landmark at Main and Jefferson back to life after decades of abuse and neglect.
Built in 1886 for B. Lowenstein and Bros., it survived fire, demolition threats and a 1960s suburban-style makeover.
Court Square Center LLC partners Willie Chandler, Yorke Lawson and John Basek will hold a grand opening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. today to show off the 28-unit apartment building that opened last December.
Lowenstein is part of a three-building project that features apartments on upper floors and ground-floor commercial. It also takes in Lincoln-American Tower, built in 1926, and the new CA2 Building, under construction where the Court Annex building burned.
Most buildings in Memphis, historic or not, would never have cleared the many hurdles that blocked the Lowenstein renovation, project architect Charles “Chooch” Pickard said.
“I think normally if it takes that much effort, the building would have come down,” said Pickard, of CM Design. “I think it was saved because it’s such a beautiful building, and enough people loved it and were passionate about saving it, starting with Memphis Heritage early on.”