Stay at Central Station Hotel Memphis – Downtown Music District

A 105-year-old former transportation hub in Memphis’ South Main District has been thoughtfully transformed into a luxury boutique hotel while preserving its historic character.

Originally opened in 1914 as Memphis Central Station and operated by the Illinois Central Railroad, the building once served as a major rail gateway to the city. Known earlier as Grand Central Station, the facility declined after passenger rail travel dropped sharply in the 1960s. In 1995, the Memphis Area Transit Authority restored the station, reestablishing it as an active passenger terminal on Amtrak’s Chicago–New Orleans route and integrating it into the local MATA Trolley network.

Following an extensive restoration, a portion of the original station was converted into Central Station Memphis Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, a 123-room property that opened in 2019. The redesign blends Mid-Century architectural influences with preserved elements of the 1914 rail station, creating a balance between historic detail and contemporary comfort. Public spaces include meeting rooms, a community-style restaurant and bar, and curated artwork by local artist Jamie Harmon, while several original architectural features were retained as part of the renovation.

Reflecting Memphis’s deep musical heritage, the hotel emphasizes sound and listening culture. The Listening Lounge and Bar showcases an extensive vinyl collection and high-end EgglestonWorks speakers. The lobby bar, 8 & Sand, serves local beers and regularly hosts live DJs, offering guests a lively and authentic Memphis soundtrack.

Dining is centered around Bishop, an on-site restaurant that interprets French brasserie classics through a Southern lens. Bishop features a charcuterie bar, regionally inspired wines from France and a selection of specialty martinis, providing a refined dining option for both hotel guests and visitors.

Both the hotel and the adjacent Amtrak terminal contribute to the South Main Street Historic District and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes the National Civil Rights Museum and numerous other historic properties, anchoring the neighborhood as a cultural and architectural centerpiece of Memphis.