New Graceland entertainment complex under construction

This week, thousands of Elvis Presley fans made their way to his famous Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn.

Graceland officials say a new 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex will be built across the street from Elvis Presley’s former home-turned-museum.

Joel Weinshanker and Jack Soden, two executives of Elvis Presley Enterprises, unveiled a large artist’s rendering of the planned 200,000 square-foot entertainment center on Monday. Among the attractions the facility will feature are museums focusing on the King of Rock “n” Roll’s career and cars, a permanent exhibit about Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and his legacy, a soundstage for performances, themed restaurants and retail shops.

“We are extremely uneasy with reports from last night’s demonstration that Graceland security, perhaps aided by Memphis police, denied access to a public event based, in part, on the race of those hoping to gain entry”, Rep. Hardaway said in a statement.

It’s that vigil that Black Lives Matter activists – in conjunction with the Coalition of Concerned Citizens – have targeted, announcing their plan to “shut down Graceland”.

Some of the new features will include an Elvis the Entertainer museum and another exhibition of his prized motors. The tax incentives for the project are based exclusively on Graceland’s performance and are site-specific, limited to the Graceland campus.

For about three decades Graceland’s visitors have been flowing through ageing, grey, flat-roofed buildings to see exhibits highlighting Presley’s career, a vehicle museum, souvenir shops and restaurants. “It’s clear that this hotel will be a tremendous success and we can’t wait to open in October”.