MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The city of Memphis has signed a letter of intent with an entertainment company to join the Liberty Park campus.
Austin-based High Five Entertainment is planning a 65,000 square foot facility in the heart of Liberty Park, which used to be known as the Mid-South Fairgrounds.
The new plans include a bowling alley, laser tag, a ropes course, virtual reality simulations, and an arcade.
Construction will kick off in early 2021 with plans to open in time for the 2022 holiday season.
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(NEWS RELEASE) - Bender-Carey Group has been hired by the City of Memphis as a consultant on the Liberty Park development to identify and secure additional development partners and funding sources for Liberty Park. As a result, the group has executed a letter of intent with High 5 Entertainment to join the Liberty Park campus.
Bender-Carey Group joins the Liberty Park development team on behalf of the City of Memphis, along with Capstone Development, M&M Enterprises, and Eastern Sports Management.
“We’re thrilled to bring opportunities to Memphis and sell the narrative of Liberty Park alongside this impressive team,” said Bender-Carey Group President & CEO Kristie Bender-Carey. “It’s an ideal opportunity zone funding situation, and we are having very fruitful conversations with interested parties as a result.”
High 5 is planning a 65,000-square foot development in the heart of Liberty Park’s 18-acre private development, which will also house public plazas, two hotels, office space, retail and dining space, and residential apartments.
The Austin-based, best-in-class arcade and entertainment company’s third location will be developed in Memphis, to feature a two-story, 40,000-square-foot indoor space and a 25,000-square-foot outdoor miniature golf course.
High 5 at Liberty Park will include a signature bowling experience with certified lanes for both recreational and league use. A state-of-the-art laser tag arena, golf simulators, ropes courses, escape rooms, and axe throwing is planned to be offered in addition to virtual reality and a video game arcade. The destination will include a full-service restaurant and bars as well as an exclusive second story area for private bowling and meeting events.
“When we learned about Liberty Park and the synergy of all that’s there and on the way—from sports to the Children’s Museum, neighboring college campuses and Liberty Bowl football games—we easily concluded that Liberty Park is the ideal spot in the community to bring the joy and excitement of High 5,” said High 5 founder Scott Emley. “We know the City of Memphis has worked very hard to assemble a great program for everyone living in or visiting Memphis, and we at High 5 are humbled and excited at the opportunity to join the program.”
Construction will kick off in early 2021 with plans to open High 5 in time for the 2022 holiday season.
“The continued development of Liberty Park serves to enhance the sports, entertainment and family-friendly offerings available to both locals and visitors,” said Paul Young, Director of the Housing & Community Development Division of the City of Memphis. “A vibrant campus with year-round activity will benefit all, and we’re excited High 5 is investing in and contributing to that vibrancy.”
High 5 is represented by Tim Henson of Venture Commercial Real Estate and Bryan Cornelius of Retail Union. Shawn Massey and Dustin Jones of The Shopping Center Group represented Liberty Park.
Liberty Park today represents iconic destinations including the Liberty Bowl and Tiger Lane, the Children’s Museum of Memphis and the Kroc Center, and it is growing to include a mixed-use, public-private development and Sports and Events Center with phased openings beginning in 2022.
“High 5 is the perfect complement to our Sports & Events Center, providing a safe entertainment outlet for traveling athletic tournament families and even adding to the lineup of league sports with state-of-the-art bowling lanes,” said John Wack, president of Eastern Sports Management, who is managing/operating the 227,000-square-feet Memphis Sports & Events Center, which will offer adaptable indoor hardcourts and outdoor turf fields for a variety of competitive youth sports and community functions. “We look forward to the future of Liberty Park.”
ABOUT LIBERTY PARK. Building on the spirit of an iconic past, Liberty Park renews the historic Memphis Fairgrounds into a dynamic destination. Liberty Park today represents iconic destinations including the Liberty Bowl and Tiger Lane, the Children’s Museum of Memphis and the Kroc Center, and it is growing to include a $200M mixed-use, public-private development and Sports and Events Center with phased openings beginning in 2022. A current list of campus elements may be found on libertyparkmemphis.com.
ABOUT BENDER-CAREY GROUP. Bender-Carey Group offers premier services and expertise for business owners. Working with all property and financing types nationwide, Bender-Carey Group provides joint venture and/or debt financing in any combination our clients may require. We take pride in creating strong partnerships and investing in our clients. From providing creative financial and marketing solutions to upholding the highest standards of client service, our team of experts is here to help you drive your growth. Find out more at bendercareygroup.com.
ABOUT HIGH 5 ENTERTAINMENT. Homegrown and Austin-founded, High 5 is the premier family entertainment venue. Whether for family, a birthday, or company event, High 5 features upscale bowling, axe throwing, virtual reality, competitive arcade, laser tag, karaoke, all complemented with our executive chef's scratch kitchen, craft cocktails, and the best in pampered event planning and execution. Learn more at bowlhighfive.com.
