MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the first time since its groundbreaking ceremony last November, it appears construction is underway at 100 North Main Building.

Cranes went up on Wednesday, marking the start of long-awaited renovations to Memphis’ tallest building.

The city bought the property in 2021 with a plan to give it a $261 million makeover.

The hope is once the renovations are finished the 37-story skyscraper will become a mixed-use community featuring a hotel, apartments, office and retail space.

“It serves as a symbol to developers, our community, and across the country that Memphis is a great place to invest your time, talent, and your resources,” said former Mayor Jim Strickland.

When the building was built nearly 60 years ago, it served as a prominent downtown office tower.

However, with the decrease in demand for office space, tenants began to move out, which eventually left the building desolate until it was eventually condemned by the county in 2015.

“We want to see this structure preserved, we want to see some action happening on this part of downtown,” Mayor Paul Young said in November. “It’s such a critical point along Main Street … There have been owners that have had proposals to redevelop the building however we weren’t seeing enough action, so DMC [Downtown Memphis Commission] in partnership with the city of Memphis would work to acquire the building which was completed earlier this year.”

Development partners say their plan is to have the building open for business in January of 2027.

“We hope we stay on schedule and on time. And a major piece of the Memphis skyline is being given a new lease on life,” developer Billy Orgel said in November.

Once it is opened, it has already secured a lease with a high-profile tenant.

“I’m happy to share that I’ve signed a 15-year lease for the City of Memphis government to occupy 60,000 square feet of office space in this building,” said Strickland in November.