Opera Memphis finds new Midtown home near Overton Square
Opera Memphis has a new home in Midtown.
The group has signed a lease at 216 S. Cooper St., which will serve as a headquarters for staff and performers. The building will have office and rehearsal space, which could also be used for small performances. Large performances will take place at existing venues around Shelby County.
It also has an area that could be used to host public screenings of operas or other films. Currently, the administrative team is working at a temporary office space in Overton Square. Rehearsals are being held at the Memphis Music Room.
Opera Memphis General Director Ned Canty said the space gives Opera Memphis a way to meet Memphians where they are, as well as bringing the organization closer to other performing arts groups in town.
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“It opens new avenues to collaborate with even more of the city’s arts organizations, and gives visiting artists the ability to walk to coffee shops and restaurants before and after rehearsals,” Canty said.
The location is close to Hattiloo Theatre, Playhouse on the Square and the Ballet Memphis headquarters.
“We are so pleased that Opera Memphis has moved to Midtown, helping to strengthen the preeminent arts district in the Mid-South,” said Michael Detroit, executive producer of Playhouse on the Square. “We look forward to continuing our professional partnerships with them, supporting their efforts and welcoming them as longtime friends.”
Canty said Opera Memphis was also drawn to the location because of the new businesses opening near the intersection of Cooper and Peabody. Retail shop Paradox at PeCo and Italian restaurant Bari both opened at the intersection last year.
“We’re proud to be part of the local effort to develop the neighborhood into an established destination,” he said. “Midtown is already known for its thriving arts community, particularly in Overton Square and Cooper-Young, and PeCo is an ideal way to connect them and create a unified arts corridor in Midtown.”
Eric Trotz with Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. represented the landlord in the deal and Shane Soefker, Jacob Biddle and Kert Kaiser with Avison Young represented Opera Memphis.
The architect on the project is brg3s and construction work is set to begin soon. Opera Memphis plans to move into the building later this year.
Corinne S Kennedy covers real estate, economic development and healthcare for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Midtown Memphis: Opera Memphis moving headquarters near Overton Square
