While new-retro chic might not be the first way to describe Memphis, it is the way Caption by Hyatt aims to connect its new brand with the Bluff City. 

“We not only wanted to be inspired by the city but also be a part of the community,” Caption by Hyatt Memphis director of sales, marketing and events Nick Janysek said during a media preview tour on Thursday, June 2. 

The new 136-room hotel opens June 22 and is integrated into the historic William C. Ellis & Sons Machinery Shop at 245 S. Front St.

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The first introduction to that is what Janysek calls the “heart” of the hotel: Talk Shop. 

The 24/7 eatery is a mash-up of the beer garden, coffee shop, restaurant, and co-working space. The design is focused on having something for everyone — and that includes hotel guests and Memphians. 

Janysek said the goal is to have guests feel the city as soon as they enter the building. That begins with keeping the machine shop’s original entrance sign at the hotel’s Front Street entrance along with other Memphis callbacks and shoutouts.

The 178-person capacity Talk Shop will feature eight draft beer taps, including its exclusive William C. Pilsner, made by local craft brewery Grind City Brewing Co. (The adjacent William C. Ellis & Sons Machine Shop on Front Street will be home to Amelia Gene’s restaurant.) 

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The grab-and-go service section at Talk Shop will feature several local companies and the menu will also be anchored by several local purveyors, including Joyce Chicken, Bluff City Mushrooms, Home Place Pastures Pork and Grits Girls Grits. 

The adjacent 1,500-square-foot beer garden will also feature a fire pit and a “living plant wall” designed for Instagrammable moments, said Caption Memphis spokesperson Anna Yan. 

The 64,825-square-foot, 10-story hotel will become the first of its kind worldwide, Janysek said. 

“It’s very exciting for both the city and the brand,” Janysek said.

He said with the new amenities still being constructed on the One Beale development site, including Amelia Gene’s and two more restaurant concepts, the group is hoping to help create a new, connecting entertainment district to complement Beale Street. 

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The hotel will feature eight river-view suites along with a full gym and yoga studio on the second floor. The rooms are outfitted with stand-up showers and the suites feature dual vanity sinks and pull-out sofas for guests. 

Check-in will be done digitally with digital room keys connecting to guests’ Apple wallet and/or watch. Traditional plastic analog keys will also be available. 

Additionally, guests will have access to the adjoining meeting spaces at the Hyatt Centric, including the 4,450-square-foot Foundry Ballroom located along Wagner Place.

Guests at both the Hyatt Centric and Caption by Hyatt will have access to restaurants and amenities at both locations. A Hyatt Centric guest can charge Talk Shop orders to their room and vice versa for a Caption by Hyatt guest at CIMAS. 

Caption by Hyatt is the second hotel to open at the One Beale development site. And the 364-room Grand Hyatt will be the third and final hotel on the development site and is expected to open in 2024. Carlisle Corp. is the developer for the One Beale project. 

Caption by Hyatt plans to open four more locations over the next three years, including brands at Shanghai Zhongshan Park in 2023 Namba Osaka in 2024; and Kabutocho Tokyo and Ba Son Saigon in 2025. 

Talk Shop hours of operation for its all-day menu are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Breakfast and market menus are open Sunday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.