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Memphis Pyramid seeks old glory with new Bass Pro Shops

In this April 27, 2015 photo, the new Bass Pro Shop store stands near the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tenn. The store, which opens April 29, is in the Memphis landmark known as the Pyramid. Bass Pro and the city agreed on a 55-year-lease in 2010, and construction to convert the 535,000-square foot building from arena to megastore began four years ago. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)
In this April 27, 2015 photo, the new Bass Pro Shop store stands near the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tenn. The store, which opens April 29, is in the Memphis landmark known as the Pyramid. Bass Pro and the city agreed on a 55-year-lease in 2010, and construction to convert the 535,000-square foot building from arena to megastore began four years ago. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht) In this April 27, 2015 photo, the new Bass Pro Shop store stands near the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tenn. The store, which opens April 29, is in the Memphis landmark known as the Pyramid. Bass Pro and the city agreed on a 55-year-lease in 2010, and construction to convert the 535,000-square foot building from arena to megastore began four years ago. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)

By Associated Press 4 min read

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Shaped like an Egyptian wonder, the Memphis landmark known as the Pyramid stopped being a regular venue for basketball games and concerts in 2004.

The 32-story structure, with its sleek, angular exterior and prime location along the Mississippi River, has sat largely unused for 11 years, a symbol of the fate of obsolete architectural curiosities like Houston’s Astrodome – cool-looking buildings with no real purpose.

It’s time for the Pyramid to be reborn.

To the delight of outdoorsmen, tourist officials and local politicians, the Pyramid opens Wednesday as the newest location for Bass Pro Shops.

The outdoor goods retailer has converted the building into a stunning ode to commercialism and a promising tourist attraction. Aside from the tens of thousands of hunting, fishing and boating items for sale, visitors can walk through a man-made cypress swamp, go bowling or shoot arrows at the archery range. A 105-room hotel designed like a hunting lodge has balconies overlooking the indoor swamp. There are also live ducks, alligators and fish.