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The Lofts at South Bluffs transform area

Former industrial site now a vibrant residential utopia

By Donna McCraw and Mike Parker
Special to Midtown & Downtown Appeal
October 23, 2005

For those new to Memphis, it's hard to believe the land that is now South Bluffs, on the south end of Downtown, was once the shipping hub of the city. The rail lines that still enter the area once served as the primary transportation method of goods arriving to and departing from Memphis.

The building which is now the Lofts at South Bluffs, 505 Tennessee, was once the distribution center for Orgill Brothers -- a wholesale supplies company.

Built in 1909, the north side of the six-story brick warehouse was planned as the first phase of a complex of buildings that would take over the south end of Tennessee Street.

Existing rail lines already served the entire area, and elevated docks on the sides of the warehouse provided easy wagon access. It was designed with massive brick walls, heavy wood columns, and beams with cast iron connections to support substantial loads.

Arched brick openings and tall double hung windows provided light and air on three sides, while large wooden sliding dock doors on the ground floor allowed for moving the hardware inventories into the building, and a single large freight elevator moved them from floor to floor.

Wooden carts, currently used in common areas as benches, ran on what was essentially a conveyor belt system. These carts transported materials from what is now the Tennessee garage into the Orgill building.

The structure was state of the art for its time, with a full sprinkler system and water tower supply; fire-resistant floor construction; galvanized metal windows at the north wall (adjacent to the Tennessee Brewery); seismic wall tie bracing at the corners; and wood floors that sloped to the exterior wall, allowing for rain water to escape when the windows were left open for ventilation.

The second phase of construction took place in 1917.

This radical, four-story addition abutted the south side of the original structure. It is made of reinforced concrete, supported by round concrete columns with flared tops and board formed slabs spanning between. Its exposed concrete frame contains brick infill panels and bands of hopper type windows to allow for maximum ventilation during humid Memphis summers.

This addition contained a new concrete and clay tile stair tower, freight elevator, a spiral package chute (spanning all four stories), and a full basement that housed a coal fired boiler plant.

In approximately 1947, a steel and concrete connecting bridge was erected that linked the Orgill Brothers Building with the warehouse to the east (now a parking garage).

An overhead chain type conveyer moved items between the buildings, as well as a vehicle ramp, which allowed for easy freight transfer over Tennessee Street. A rail spur entered the building, allowing for easy loading and unloading of goods.

Orgill vacated the building in 1954. It remained virtually empty and unused for 44 years, until it was purchased in 1998 by developer (and Downtowner in every sense of the word) Henry Turley, with plans for a conversion into loft-style apartments.

Partnering with the Downtown architecture firm Hnedak Bobo Group, local designer Suzanne Newman and Patton & Taylor Construction, Turley undertook the task of bringing the historic structure up to modern code -- transforming it into one of the most sought-out, geographically desirable apartment buildings in the burgeoning Downtown core of Memphis.

The Lofts's first resident took up home in December 2000. Over the past five years, the building has enjoyed above-average occupancy rates and positive resident feedback.

Last month, Turley announced the building would be offered as condominiums. Residents have responded favorably, and will soon be joining the ranks of homeowners.

As part of its conversion to resident-owned, the building is undergoing fairly extensive renovations including the relocation of its fitness facility to a prime penthouse unit overlooking the Mississippi River; an expansion of the roof deck with increased seating and a wet bar/kitchen area for entertaining; repainting of all interior halls and carpeting of floors; the installation of original local artwork in hallways; and the addition of new light fixtures throughout.

Residents are thrilled to see so many positive changes occurring during the early phases of conversion.

Looking back, it's hard to imagine that a massive old building that once housed wholesale supplies in an industrial part of town would become Downtown's premier loft living experience, or that the tract overlooking the river would be home to multi-million dollar homes owned by the likes of Cybil Shepard, Pat Halloran and our own Henry Turley -- but that's part of the charm of our great city!

The Lofts will host a party on Nov. 5 starting at 7 p.m. with all proceeds going to the Memphis Arts Council. Tickets are $25 and include live music, food, drinks and a great selection of art and artfully designed lofts.

This event serves as the official unveiling of The Lofts' "Henry Award" units, spotlighting Memphis designers Rachael Turri, Jenny Yeates, Amelia Carkuff and Graham Reese.

Donna McCraw and Mike Parker are born and raised Memphians and the two sales agents on site at the Lofts at South Bluffs.