The Giant Glass Pyramid That Doubles As A Fishing Store

In Memphis, Tennessee, a massive glass pyramid towers over the Mississippi River, reaching 321 feet into the sky.

This isn't an ancient monument or a modern art installation. It's a Bass Pro Shop, and it happens to be the seventh largest pyramid on Earth by volume.

From Sports Arena To Retail Wonder:

The Memphis Pyramid opened in 1991 as a 20,000-seat arena for basketball games and concerts. For two decades, it hosted the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and major entertainment events. 

However, when the team moved to a new arena in 2004, the pyramid sat mostly empty for years. The city struggled to find a purpose for this unique structure until Bass Pro Shops stepped in with an ambitious plan. 

In 2015, after a $200 million renovation, the building reopened as a massive outdoor retail destination.

Inside The Pyramid:

This isn't your typical sporting goods store. The interior features a cypress swamp with live alligators, a 103-room hotel called Big Cypress Lodge, and multiple restaurants including Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill. 

Shoppers can take a glass elevator to an observation deck at the pyramid's apex, offering panoramic views of the Mississippi River and downtown Memphis. 

The store contains 535,000 square feet of retail space filled with hunting, fishing, and camping gear. A 13-story freestanding elevator carries visitors to the top, making it one of the tallest freestanding elevators in the United States.

Comparing Pyramid Sizes:

The Memphis pyramid measures 591 feet along each side of its square base. While it's smaller than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza and several other ancient pyramids by height, its volume earns it the seventh spot on the global list. 

The building contains approximately 32 million cubic feet of space. This makes it significantly larger than the Luxor Hotel pyramid in Las Vegas, which many Americans might assume holds the record for largest pyramid in the country.

A Tourist Destination Beyond Shopping:

Even people with no interest in outdoor recreation visit the Memphis pyramid. The observation deck alone draws thousands of visitors who want to experience the unique views. 

The hotel rooms inside offer guests the unusual experience of sleeping within a pyramid. Families come to see the wildlife exhibits and eat at the restaurants. 

The building has become one of Memphis's most recognizable landmarks, joining Graceland and Beale Street as must-see attractions. What started as an empty arena has transformed into a destination that brings tourism dollars and jobs to the city.