Universal Life Building’s Beacon To Shine Again
When the company's headquarters went vacant in 2001, many feared the imposing Egyptian Revival building at Danny Thomas and
But a
Along with
"It's our version of the Harlem Renaissance," said city housing and community development director
The company moved to 234 Hernando before building its headquarters at what was then the northeast corner of Linden and
When Walker's son
A
"I was hoping it wouldn't go the way of many other things Downtown, another parking lot," Turner said. "I was elated that the building was going to remain in the black community. The land, the building, all of that was purchased by black Memphians, who pooled their funds and pulled together something of note that stays for ages."
Architects
The firm will renovate a building that has been a symbol of pride and hope, particularly among black Memphians who grew up in the civil rights era.
"Universal life was the big kahuna and that building was a point of pride," said insurance agent and former City Council member
"Universal Life gave young black professionals a place to work with high levels of dignity and camaraderie," added Davis, who owns
Davis' wife, Ella, got her first job at Universal after graduating from
Universal brought
Gilliam said Universal's leaders founded
"The context is we're talking about a segregated society, so the opportunities were relatively few for black entrepreneurs," Gilliam said.
Universal and Tri-State were staunch supporters of civil rights, said Turner, 70. "Quite often when protesters were jailed, they were the backbone of financial support as far as providing bail money, along with others, the churches and so forth," he said.
Universal's lower level meeting hall and cafeteria were a hub of social life.
"We couldn't use the hotels for different meetings and functions," Turner said. "That building had a wonderful facility where the black community could have social events. In the time of segregation, when there were so many doors closed to African-Americans, that was one of those businesses that could be a role model and something we could look up to."
Plans call for an exhibit about the history of Universal Life in the lobby area off
Self, a native of
They anticipate construction beginning this summer and taking about a year to complete. Tucker said the clock on the sidewalk worked until the building's utilities were cut off. It will be restored, probably at the beginning of construction, as a symbol of what's to come.
Anchored by the Renaissance center's small business resources, the building is envisioned as a hotbed of creativity and innovation focused on uplifting the neighborhood on the southern edge of Downtown, Tucker said.
Gilliam said he was thrilled about the plans.
"I was elated when I read that," Gilliam said. "I was just driving by there the other day and it took me back 40 plus years. I love the fact that something that positive can be done with that building."
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