The Rambler boutique apartment hotel at 400 South Main and Huling is officially open.
“We’ve been working on it for a bit,” says founder Kenny Lipschutz, 34. “So, we’re excited to be finally open.”
“Apartment hotel” is the “new catch phrase” for this type of combination hotel/apartment, says Lipschutz, who is based in New York. “In all ways, shapes, and forms it’s a boutique hotel. But the units are designed as apartments. We rent them out on short term rental platforms such as Airbnb. And to some longer term guests, a month or two. Someone who wants to be here longer than a night or two.”
The concept is to “try to bring the best of both hotel and apartment living. So, on the hotel side we look to offer hotel quality beds, high quality management, and what we like to call impeccable cleanliness. On the apartment side, we would hope to offer the opportunity to live more comfortably and authentically in larger units with full kitchens and living rooms.”
The building, which dates to 1910, previously was a private residence. “It was really a full-blown historical renovation. We wanted to preserve the original character of the building, which really had beautiful bones: exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings, wood beams. Really a beautiful building.
“So, we went about renovating it in a way we could preserve those original details and that original charm while basically converting it from a single family home to adding modern finishes to 18 apartment units which comprise 28 bedrooms that range from studio all the way to larger three bedroom units, which are designed to accommodate group demand.”
The Rambler also includes “3,300 square feet of retail along South Main.”
Landmark Bank, soon to be Simmons Bank, “opened their first downtown retail bank branch in this location.”
The Rambler officially opened September 9th. “Had our first guests. And we’ve been fully booked every weekend.”
The hotel name has musical inspiration, Lipschutz says. “The name was inspired by the story of how B. B. King hitchhiked to Memphis and took his shot at being a performer. The name derives from people who made the journey to Memphis and changed their lives in different ways throughout history. Memphis attracts that traveler for whatever reason. They arrive in Memphis looking for a fresh start and a new adventure. With a nod to that tradition past and present, the hotel offers an opportunity to continue this great tradition of travel to Memphis.”
Lipschutz, who works for real estate developer Twenty Lake Holdings (which owns the former The Commercial Appeal building), wanted to pursue his idea of opening a boutique apartment hotel in Memphis. “We’d go from block to block to see if we could find a good location to try it out.”
South Main was a perfect fit. “I loved the vibe and energy along South Main.”
And, he says, “You really feel the local ownership and pride. The local business owners’s energy and personality really shines through.”
Lipschutz formed his own company, “Blue Suede Properties,” to develop the Memphis project. “It’s been really fantastic. Everyone in the Downtown Memphis area has been incredibly welcoming and has been incredibly generous with their time and helping out whenever they can. And it’s just been fantastic to use this property as small part to help the momentum people have started downtown and, generally, in the South Main arts community.”
And, he says, “I spent so much time it almost feels like home in a way. It’s just always great coming back. And always a welcome change of pace coming from New York City.”
Memphis, Lipschutz says, “has such an incredible tradition of hospitality whether it’s the food, the lodging, the music. And just through all of it is the incredible generosity of the people. I’ve really felt that welcoming with open arms. And it’s really inspired me and has truly motivated me to do my small part to help contribute to it. That’s really been my North Star through this whole thing.”
For more information, visit The Rambler’s Airbnb listing.
