Graceland opens $45 million ‘Elvis Presley’s Memphis’ complex

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The home of the King of Rock and Roll has a new multi-million dollar expansion that opened its gates to fans Thursday morning.

Step back in time with Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a brand new entertainment complex delving deeper into the King’s legacy.

“It’s emotional, it is truly touching, it’s rewarding and I think he is looking down on it,” Letetia Henley Kirk said. She was Presley’s nurse from 1968 until he passed away 40 years ago.

Hundreds made their way to celebrate the opening of the new $45 million, 200,000-square-foot entertainment and museum complex. It features the largest and most comprehensive Elvis exhibit in the world, an all-new automobile museum and more.

“You are going to be able to walk through the streets of his Memphis, which is right here at Graceland,” EPE Managing Director Joel Weinshanker said. “And you are going to be able to see all the things that he loved, things that he shared with his friends.”

Elvis Presley’s Memphis is the largest expansion to Graceland since it opened in 1982. Priscilla Presley said in her opening comments that this is a dream come true for Elvis.

“To be able to fulfill these dreams is such a pleasure to all of us at EPE who knew what those dreams were, and you’ll see it today through his life and take the journey,” Priscilla Presley said.

The same scissors used to cut the ribbon to open Graceland were used in Thursday’s ceremony.