The Peabody, a luxury hotel in downtown Memphis, was built in 1925. The Italian Renaissance building holds historical and cultural significance. The Peabody closed in the early 1970's but was purchased from the county by the Jack Belz family for $400,000. They spent the next several years and $25 million renovating the landmark structure. The grand opening in 1981 is widely considered in Memphis a major stimulus and inspiration for the downtown revitalization that followed and still continues. The Peabody is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Peabody is well known for its Peabody Ducks, that live on the rooftop, but make daily treks to the hotel's lobby in a "March of Ducks" celebration. These ducks have paddled into the marble fountain of the hotel since 1933, and have performed the duck march twice a day since 1940. At 11 AM a red carpet is unfurled, King Cotton March is played, and 5 Mallard ducks ride a special elevator from their Royal Duck Palace on the hotel rooftop to the hotel lobby, then waddle directly into the stately marble fountain. The procedure is reversed at 5 PM. On both ends, the ducks are led by a "duckmaster" in a gold and scarlet trimmed uniform. The first duckmaster held the job for over 50 years. Each duck team is retired after 3 months. The Royal Duck Palace underwent extensive renovations in 2008 upgraded from a rusty cage and tent enclosure to a modern glass-enclosed penthouse. The hotel lobby is packed with people jockeying for position to see the famous ducks.
