Abandoned Skyscraper in Memphis, TN - 100 North Main - The Art of Abandonment

Looking out across the Memphis skyline, it’s hard to miss the tallest building in the city: 100 North Main. The history of this iconic skyscraper spans over half a century and often mirrors the changes and struggles faced by downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The Art of Abandonment takes a look inside this abandoned 37-story historic skyscraper.
More images and history on our blog: bit.ly/100NMai...
Purchase prints from this shoot on our site: bit.ly/100NMai...
Images and video copyright ©Walter Arnold Photography LLC 2023
Music by Gold Coast "Longing for Home" - Stream it on Spotify at open.spotify.c...

[@AliBoyd]

Renovation has begun!! Abandonment no more - about time!

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

So excited! Can't wait to keep tabs on the progress over the next few years. -- Thanks for the heads up!

[@user-xp1st3kt6j]

I explored it last week. Only thing that’s renovated is the very bottom parking. We only went to the very top. Didn’t explore the building. It was very fun. Wonder what all we missed out on tho not exploring everything

[@TrueCody]

@@user-xp1st3kt6jHow were you able to get to the top? I worked there recently, super sketchy even at day time lol.

[@vickietaylor2850]

I worked for W R Grace in that building from 1973-1974. Lot of memories. Cooper’s Cafeteria, the rotating restaurant, the women’s lounge . Before they paved Main Street. Wow!

[@Patrick94GSR]

My grandfather’s company Memphis Title Company was in the ground floor of this building. My dad’s first job was there in the 1960’s. I remember visiting in the 80’s.

[@NWSanta]

Hard to believe that such an amazing large structure could be abandoned. Hopefully somebody will resurrect it!!!

[@Patrick94GSR]

It’s definitely possible, just look at Sears Crosstown! Amazing revitalization over there after sitting empty for many decades.

[@johnmpifer]

@@Patrick94GSR But, is Crosstown Concourse, actually making a profit?

[@bcsief]

The stuff left behind is amazing! Great video.

[@user-nb6tm1xc4y]

Such treasures! Wonder what will become of it. Love your work, Walter❤

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

Thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@petdetail]

Walter! Where have you been? This, like all of your productions, is glorious. If I can feel my stomach drop from the drone footage, you're doing it right. Grossinger's will always be my favorite but this is fabulous, too. More please!!!! Warmly, Suz

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

Glad you enjoyed!! Thanks so much for the kind words :) Glad you like the drone footage, that was a ton of fun!

[@user-fo9vo2jx7y]

Love it Walter!!

[@SeriouslyTechStuff]

Bravo

[@robincude2840]

Loved that building as a kid

[@noz_redna]

Awesome

[@lovetheeloquence]

It's sort of amazing (and a bit sad) that there are things like furniture, medical equipment, all sorts of things that could have been salvaged. Instead, one day the whole thing probably will end up in a landfill. Tragic. But I do love your work, Walter.

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

Indeed! It's crazy what gets left behind

[@larrythomas99]

I remember going by here when working downtown. Amazed it's abandoned, due to business moving for some reason like safety? I would see broken car glass over 10 years ago nearby. Interesting.. 🌴

[@navyskaterdude]

I was in Memphis in the early 90s visiting friends and broke my braces. An orthodontist in this building fixed my braces for me. The inside was dated then but in good shape. Sad its all tore up now

[@markthomas2436]

Great to see you still taking vids and photos here in Blues town. There is hardly anything left of the old infirmary off New Getwell we photographed ten years ago. I think they will eventually bulldoze it all. I sometimes drive out there and check to see what is left, and there ain't much. They say that there are abandoned stacks from a Civil war era ammo plant up in Millington, TN. I have never seen it. There is an old building on Lamar Ave North of the lower loop which might be fit for your camera. It is on the left hand side as ya drive Northwest on Lamar... if ya get to Park ya passed it up. Great to see you are still at it. I still have my book that I bought from ya! I quit facebook in 2017, and never looked back. But I miss my friends.... like you and Amanda.

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

Hey Mark! Good to hear from ya! Thanks for the kind words and tips :) Hope you are well!

[@atomicshark9466]

Im about to make this my secret villain layer fr

[@zzrsteve7934]

Really cool video, especially the drone footage at the top. I was laying over several years ago at the Sheraton and wondered what that building was. I Googled and found out it was abandoned. "They" say it still might become something but I highly doubt it. Then again, I highly doubted the pyramid would ever become a Bass Pro shop yet there it is, so who knows? I'm sorry all the little numbnuts had to break the windows and let the elements wreak more damage than necessary.

[@spicynegra94k]

How do you get in?

[@redneckcherokee8298]

Oh yeah Memphis is real good at abandoning things. We're almost pros at it. Just look at Frazier Orange mount North Memphis. There's more houses of Bandon and those parts of the town than anywhere else talking about Memphis. Abandoning things hey we're pros at it we ain't no amateurs.

[@LucilleFlenory]

Man I would love to get a view of the city standing from the very top 😩 I hope they do something with it or tear it down and put a park there I know Memphis is lacking playgrounds(understandably lol)

[@kevinstrong8265]

Just pissed away.

[@geraldgarrett3261]

Memphis is full of abandoned buildings.

[@MicahBeatz]

Bring back up bank

[@gmon3y46]

It’s a hotel now

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

I don’t believe they have started renovation of this building yet. You might be thinking about the Hyatt Centric on Beale? That was an old machine shop that was closed and they redid it into a hotel recently.

[@charleswinters212]

"promosm"

[@bunchofidiotswhoknoweachot4939]

Can I drift in that parking lot they have