Robertson Topp Mansion, 565 Beale Street at Lauderdale - Memphis, Tenessee

Robertson Topp, a successful entrepreneur of Memphis, built this classical Greek Revival mansion in 1841.  The porch is identical to his original Gayoso Hotel design, which suggests that James Darkin, the architect of the Gayoso, may also have designed Topp's home.  It was a large home... 10+ bedrooms.  The design broke with tradition.  While most Greek Revival plans were designed in a rectangle, this one was quite irregular.  It was considered one of the finest homes in Memphis.

Robertson Topp built the Memphis Gayoso House, the city's first luxury hotel, as part of his plan to develop South Memphis with warehouses, commercial buildings, well-constructed homes, and with the Gayoso as its centerpiece.  He commissioned architect James Dakin to design and construct the hotel which became a landmark and the place to stay in Memphis.   In 1858, he doubled the size of the hotel, adding one hundred rooms.  It was extravagant and luxurious in every detail, including indoor plumbing and flush toilets.  Sadly, in 1899, it burned to the ground.  Topp had architect James B. Cook design a new hotel - even larger and more luxurious.  Today this building has been restored for use as downtown apartments, residences, restaurants and offices.