Downtown Brooks Museum construction moves forward

By Rob Moore, Daily Memphian

Updated: April 20, 2023 8:56 PM CT | Published: April 20, 2023 10:56 AM CT

Construction on the new Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Downtown is moving forward. 

A permit filed Thursday, April 20, with the Memphis and Shelby County Division and Planning and Development by Grinder, Taber & Grinder indicates that the project is moving to the first phase of construction. 

According to the permit, the first phase of construction will include sitework, foundations, work on the parking garage, the building podium and infrastructure.

The estimated cost for this phase is $54,250,000.

Earlier this month, the detailed plan for the new museum was approved by the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Design Review Board.

The 117,000-square-foot building will include 60,000 square feet of free, art-filled public spaces including a rooftop sculpture garden, events terrace, river amphitheater, full-service cafe and theater.

Located on the bluff, the New Brooks is part of a series of public-private investments that aim to “make the riverfront shine while building a community that welcomes everyone.”