Groundbreaking Set for Graceland Hotel

Priscilla Presley is scheduled to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hotel at Graceland, the Memphis tourist attraction centered on the longtime home of her late ex-husband, rock and roll icon Elvis Presley.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, the operators of Graceland, said Tuesday the groundbreaking for the 450-room hotel called The Guest House is set for Aug. 14. Once built, the hotel will include two restaurants, meeting and special events space, and a 500-seat theater for live performances.

The groundbreaking will take place during Elvis Week, the annual celebration of the influential singer's life. He died in Memphis on Aug. 16. 1977.

Also being unveiled during Elvis Week is a multimedia tablet tour of the home-turned-museum using iPads. The tour will be narrated by actor John Stamos.

Elvis Week visitors also will get the first look at the Graceland Archives Studio, which will allow them to explore various aspects of Elvis' life and career though photographs, documents, film clips, items of clothing and other rare artifacts.

Graceland previously announced the first-ever "Auction at Graceland," to be held Aug. 14. The auction will feature authenticated items such as Elvis' 1977 Cadillac Seville, a Martin D-28 guitar and Elvis' copy of the original script for his first film, "Love Me Tender."

"Our family, along with Graceland management, have wanted to expand and enhance the Graceland experience for several years," Priscilla Presley said in a statement. "We're thrilled that so many of our long awaited projects, plus several more are finally coming to fruition."

Elvis Week runs from Aug. 8-17.