New Ownership Along Vance Avenue Near Danny Thomas Signals Redevelopment Activity and Memphis Zoo Stingray Expansion

Two separate projects point to continued investment in a fast-changing corridor

Real estate activity near South Danny Thomas Boulevard is drawing attention on two fronts: a change in ownership involving buildings on Vance Avenue, and planning for a new stingray-focused attraction at the Memphis Zoo. Both developments sit within areas that have seen significant public and private investment in recent years, including large-scale housing redevelopment in South City near Danny Thomas Boulevard.

Vance Avenue properties change hands amid broader Downtown and South City momentum

Property records and marketing materials indicate that at least one Vance Avenue building in the Downtown/South City area recently transferred to a new owner. A 5,035-square-foot building at 454 Vance Ave shows a February 2026 closing, with MDM Investments of Memphis LLC listed as the current owner in ownership history and local property-information databases. The property has been marketed as a redevelopment opportunity near major Downtown anchors and newer residential development.

The transaction arrives as multiple plans continue to shape the Downtown edge around Danny Thomas Boulevard, including ongoing work and new construction proposals along key corridors. The area’s recent transformation has been influenced by the multi-phase South City redevelopment, which replaced the former Foote Homes public housing site with hundreds of new housing units and added mixed-income residential capacity close to Danny Thomas Boulevard and Vance Avenue.

Memphis Zoo plans a new stingray exhibit with an opening target in 2027

Separately, the Memphis Zoo has announced “Stingrays at Mangrove Cove,” an immersive exhibit planned for the northwest side of the zoo’s grounds. The exhibit is expected to open in 2027 and is designed to allow guests to observe and touch stingrays while also viewing additional aquatic species, including sharks and other animals representing waters from multiple regions.

Zoo admissions policy for the attraction is planned to align with standard entry: viewing will be included with general admission, while certain interactive components—such as feeding—are expected to carry an additional fee.

What to watch next

• Whether additional Vance Avenue parcels are acquired or repositioned as part of wider redevelopment activity near Danny Thomas Boulevard.
• Specific design, animal-welfare, and operational details for the zoo’s stingray exhibit as planning advances toward the 2027 target.
• How these initiatives align with ongoing Downtown planning efforts and the continued build-out of nearby mixed-income housing.

Both projects underscore the continued pace of change near Danny Thomas Boulevard—through property turnover, redevelopment planning, and new visitor attractions—within one of Memphis’ most actively evolving districts.