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Under Construction

May 20, 2016 | Other

Elvis Presley Enterprises applied this week for more construction permits for work totaling $21.3 million across the street from Graceland.

The company will replace the complex of decades-old tourist buildings that house souvenir shops, dining and an exhibit of Elvis' cars. Elvis Presley Enterprises had pulled a permit in February for preliminary construction totaling $6.7 million. Dirt work started a few months ago behind the existing buildings along Elvis Presley Boulevard at Craft Road.

The company applied for three more permits this week, for $18.1 million worth of work at 1064 Craft, for $1.1 million of work at 1126 Craft and for $2.2 million of work at 1116 Craft.

The documents describe the planned construction as "core and shell construction'' and the pouring of the foundation.

Grinder, Taber & Grinder is the contractor and Hnedak Bobo Group is the architect for the project whose total cost will be $30 million to $35 million.

Elvis Presley Enterprises calls it the "Westside Project'' because the buildings are on the west side of the street across from Graceland.

The old buildings will be removed and replaced with 200,000 square feet that will house a new museum of Elvis’ cars, two restaurants, a multipurpose building, six retail spaces, a museum themed “Elvis the Entertainer,’’ and other exhibits.

Graceland officials have said they plan to move Elvis’ gold records, guitars, jumpsuits and other memorabilia from the mansion into the new space.

The tourist facilities will be greatly expanded on a 46-acre site that includes land acquired from where Craft Manor and other apartment complexes once stood.

The two Elvis airplanes will stay in place.

The Westside Project will eventually mean the demolition of Heartbreak Hotel, but only after completion this fall of the new 450-room resort hotel called The Guest House at Graceland. The Guest House is on the east side of Elvis Presley Boulevard, north of Graceland.

Source:Various