Sheraton Memphis Downtown hotel to be rebranded as Marriott, with redevelopment targeted for January 2029

A convention-center anchor faces a long runway for upgrades

The Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel, a 600-room property connected by skywalk to the Renasant Convention Center, is set for a name change as part of a broader redevelopment plan that has been discussed for years and is now tied to a specific timeline. Project leaders have said the hotel is expected to be redeveloped and rebranded as a Marriott, with completion projected for January 2029.

The hotel’s future has been closely watched because it functions as the city’s primary convention center hotel and one of the largest room blocks in Downtown Memphis. City officials and tourism leaders have repeatedly pointed to the hotel’s condition and limited room availability as constraints on convention recruitment and retention.

City purchase closed in November 2025; redevelopment to shift beyond city ownership

Memphis closed on its purchase of the Sheraton on November 5, 2025, after negotiations that stretched for months beyond earlier expectations. The acquisition followed prior City Council actions authorizing bond financing to buy the hotel, with the stated goal of securing the property, stabilizing operations and setting the stage for a major renovation and eventual transfer to a specialized entity for long-term redevelopment and management.

In public discussions surrounding the deal, the city has described a structure in which the property would not remain a long-term city-operated hotel. Instead, the plan has been framed as an interim municipal ownership period followed by conveyance to a third-party nonprofit partner with experience managing large-scale hospitality and real estate assets.

What is known about the renovation timeline and branding shift

At an industry gathering in February 2026, project leadership outlined a multi-year schedule that places a full redevelopment and brand transition to Marriott in the January 2029 window. The expected timing reflects the scale of work associated with modernizing a convention center hotel, including upgrades to guest rooms and public areas and improvements designed to better support group and convention business.

The Sheraton has not undergone a comprehensive renovation since 2004, and public officials have acknowledged that a substantial overhaul is needed to restore competitiveness for large meetings and citywide events.

Why the hotel matters for convention business

The Sheraton’s proximity and connection to the convention center make it a pivotal asset for booking major events, where contiguous room blocks and walkable access to meeting space are often decisive factors. City briefings over the past year have also highlighted lost or at-risk convention business tied to uncertainty about the hotel’s condition and redevelopment schedule.

• Property: Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel (600 rooms)
• Location: 250 N. Main St., connected to the Renasant Convention Center
• City purchase closing: November 5, 2025
• Redevelopment/rebranding target: January 2029

With completion projected for 2029, the redevelopment timeline places the hotel’s full return to the convention market several years after the city’s acquisition—extending the period in which Memphis must compete for major meetings while a core asset remains in transition.

Further details on construction phasing, room availability during renovation, and the final operating structure are expected to be refined as planning advances.