Oh, if the walls of Hotel Pontotoc could talk …
Located between South Main and Front Street, the historic hotel has been a Downtown Memphis staple for more than a century, living multiple lives as a bordello, a Turkish bathhouse, a dive bar, a private residence, and a recording studio. After years of neglect and a meticulous recent restoration by local developers, the hotel will come full circle when it reopens this summer as a European-style boutique hotel, offering guests a combination of modern luxury and vintage charm.
“The fact that it has survived nearly untouched for 119 years is amazing,” says General Manager Norbert Mede. “It’s like a fly caught in amber — it never got repurposed or lost its character like so many other properties.”
Take a closer look at the storied past of Hotel Pontotoc, and get a sneak peek at its newest iteration!
A Historic Gem
Built in 1906 near Central Station, Hotel Pontotoc originally catered to railway and riverboat travelers. With 18 bedrooms and nine bathrooms, the small hotel was known for its lavish Turkish baths. By the 1920s, it had morphed into a popular bordello with a reputation for luxury and discretion. In 1929, Greek businessman Dionysos (Dan) Touliatos bought the property, turning it into a family hotel, where he resided with his wife and children.
Under his ownership, the hotel became a social hub for members of the Greek community and hosted many lively parties. It also drew actors and vaudeville performers from the nearby Orpheum Theatre. One of Hotel Pontotoc’s most illustrious guests was Mexican artist Dionicio Rodriguez, who lived in the hotel in the 1930s while commissioned to work on Crystal Shrine Grotto at Memorial Park Gardens — a handmade cavern made of rock quartz crystal and semiprecious stones.
In 1958, George Sr., the eldest son of the Touliatos family, founded Front Street Theatre, which put on professional theatrical productions and attracted notable actors. While these stars may not have stayed at Hotel Pontotoc, the hotel was intertwined in the city’s cultural development. There is even a rumor that Elvis visited the hotel, though there’s no evidence to prove it.
The Touliatos sold Hotel Pontotoc after business declined in the late 1960s, and it enjoyed a brief stint as a nightclub in 1979 before it was purchased by local preservationists Leigh and Terry Davis in the early 1980s. They renovated the building, converting the basement into a recording studio and hosting memorable parties.
In 2022, partners Tony Kuhn and Joseph Lewis — Memphians with a heart for historic downtown properties — acquired the building, which had fallen into disrepair. They embarked on a multimillion-dollar project to restore Hotel Pontotoc to its former glory.
A Second Act
Despite the hotel’s deterioration in recent years, “the bones of it were in great condition,” Norbert says. “The renovation is a wink and a nod to its past but with modern upgrades and amenities.” The hotel’s footprint is the same, with a bar on the lower basement level and guest rooms on the top two floors. But the original 17 rooms have been downsized to 10, including one grand suite, three regular suites, one ADA suite, and three studio-style rooms.
Each room has a different theme, but they all pay tribute to the past with their restored wood floors, exposed plaster walls, transom windows, and repurposed doors featuring original room numbers and antique knobs. Bathrooms contain vintage sink fixtures and high-tank toilets with pull chains for a nostalgic touch.
While the hotel is full of contemporary comforts, its vibe is intimate, and its design “is like a timeline of its history,” Norbert says. The aesthetic is brimming with mid-century modern furnishings, rich wall coverings in deep blues and greens, and relics from its early life, which are showcased. “We found a red ammunition bomb that we are going to suspend from the ceiling, and an old organ that we cleaned up to put in our lobby,” Norbert shares.
Developers also revamped the hotel’s entrance, repairing its signature awnings and restoring its iconic sign, a mainstay since it opened.
Drinks at The Dame
Adding to the hotel’s allure is The Dame, an upscale cocktail lounge and wine bar on the ground floor. The bar will serve a curated selection of premium bourbon, whiskey, tequila, and wine, along with small plates and local beers on tap. The menu will pay homage to the space’s previous incarnation as a recording studio. “We will have three tiers of wines: top 40 hits (recognizable wines), B sides (less recognizable wines), and lost tracks (wines that are unique or off the beaten path),” Norbert explains.
If you’re craving a bit of nature, head to the hotel’s landscaped garden, which can accommodate up to 75 people. It also makes an excellent spot for weddings and other special events.
With that in mind, Norbert hopes to see Hotel Pontotoc return to its roots — as a gathering place for both locals and tourists. Events in the works include live music on Friday nights, plus themed nights like Whiskey Club Sundays, Tequila Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays, and more. “We want our guests to feel like this is a home away from home,” says Norbert, “and not just those outside of Memphis, but also Memphians who come downtown for a show, a concert, or a Grizzlies game.”
Plan Your Stay
Located just minutes from Beale Street, the Orpheum, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the Civil Rights Museum (among other Memphis hot spots), Hotel Pontotoc is open for booking at hotelpontotoc.com. Nightly rates range from $250 to $650, with a 15% off promotion for those who book a two-night stay before August 1. Guests check in online and will receive an access code to the building, along with a complimentary continental breakfast and Wi-Fi.
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