From Closure to Catalyst: Lessons from Northside Square

For generations, Northside High School stood as a cornerstone of the Klondike neighborhood in North Memphis. Beyond a school, it was a gathering place, point of pride, and reflection of a community’s strength. When the school closed in 2016, the loss was felt far beyond its walls.

Today, that same space is set to become a catalyst for renewal because of the vision and persistence of Klondike residents. The transformation of Northside into Northside Square is one of the largest Black-led developments in a majority-Black neighborhood in Memphis history – an $81 million mixed-use project that will serve as an anchor for Klondike’s next chapter.

A holistic hub for community life

When it opens in 2026, the 270,000-square-foot Northside Square campus will become a vibrant anchor in Klondike – a single place where housing, services, culture, and opportunity converge. Designed to meet the community’s needs today while building a foundation for the future, the development brings together affordable housing, health care, workforce development, literacy programs, arts spaces, and shared amenities under one roof.

Tenants such as Moore Tech, Literacy Mid-South, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will deliver education, job training, and cultural experiences directly into the heart of the neighborhood. Residents and visitors alike will gather in a renovated gymnasium, flexible performing arts venue, and welcoming public spaces like the plaza and courtyard.

Retail and office space will support local enterprise and bring new services within walking distance. Above it all, the third floor will offer 42 affordable apartments – an urgently needed resource in a city facing a shortfall of reasonably priced housing units.

A model for equitable revitalization

From the start, The Works and its partners have been intentional about balancing development with preservation. Klondike’s long and proud history, dating back to its founding in 1899, remains central to the project’s story. This is not revitalization that erases, but one that builds on the legacy of those who came before.

By integrating housing, health, education, and cultural space in one location, Northside Square reflects a holistic approach to community development – a model that combines direct services with systems-level advocacy to address the root causes of poverty and disinvestment.

Guided by community priorities

Northside Square is part of the Moving Klondike Forward initiative, an inclusive revitalization effort aimed at reclaiming and reinvesting in one of Memphis’s oldest African-American neighborhoods.

From the start, The Works was determined to create housing options that keep current residents in place while attracting new ones. The team worked closely with alumni, residents, and neighborhood leaders in the Klondike neighborhood to ensure the development reflects the community’s vision. Every decision – whether focused on affordability, design, or amenities –has been made with the goal of strengthening Klondike without forcing displacement.

That commitment has fueled steady momentum. Even as construction has progressed through complex phases, the energy behind the project hasn’t wavered. The Works’ leadership and local residents continue to take pride in seeing the pieces come together.

Economic impact that multiplies

The project is already creating jobs through construction, and once operational, Northside Square will generate long-term employment opportunities through its tenants and programming. By anchoring a major community hub in Klondike, The Works hopes to attract new business –restaurants, shops, and services that will see opportunity where there was once vacancy.

More than an economic engine, the project is designed to foster empowerment and connection. It sends a powerful message that Klondike is worthy of investment, and that its people deserve access to the resources and opportunities that allow communities to thrive.

A story of resilience and vision

Transforming a vacant school into a thriving community hub is no small feat. It requires vision, persistence, and deep trust between developers and the people they serve. The Works, Inc., with decades of experience in affordable housing, food access, and neighborhood renewal, is uniquely equipped for this work.

When the ribbon is cut in 2026, Northside Square will open its doors to tenants, residents, and a new chapter in Klondike’s story. It will be a place where children learn, families gather, entrepreneurs build, and artists perform. A place where neighbors reconnect and newcomers find a sense of belonging.

Because in Klondike, what was and what is will always be the fabric of what’s next.