Reviewed by: Pat Byington
An inside look at The Kelly, a brand new hotel in downtown Birmingham [Photos]
ByNathan Watson
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The Kelly, a highly-anticipated hotel in downtown Birmingham, is ready to welcome guests to The Magic City starting this weekend. We got a sneak peek inside the brand-new hotel earlier this week, including a new restaurant & cocktail bar concept coming in early 2022. Keep reading for all the details 🤩
Say Hello to The Kelly 🤩
The Kelly Birmingham, Tapestry Collection: Website | Instagram | Facebook
There’s a new hotel in town! Located at 2027 1st Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203, The Kelly is one of the latest additions to Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, a line of upscale hotels with unique & vibrant personalities—and The Kelly is no exception.
The Kelly is the latest offering from Rhaglan Hospitality, the local hotel management company behind the Redmont Hotel and the recently-opened St. James Hotel in Selma, Alabama. According to designers, The Kelly is meant to be the “slightly wilder” little sister of the Redmont Hotel, with a vibrant and darker design scheme.
Inside the hotel lobby you’ll find colorful, jewel-toned accents and a collection of curated, eclectic artwork. The design team worked closely with New Orleans artist Tony Mose of Esom Art, who created the gorgeous pieces on display. The spacious lobby is illuminated by massive floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing guests to see the hustle & bustle of 1st Avenue North.
Designers took special care to integrate the historic features of the building with the new designs, and the results are stunning. The neutral, black & white tones of the walls make the colorful decor, seating and accents pop even more.
Each Room Has an Unbeatable View
Once you open the door to your room, you’ll be blown away by the view—especially at sunset. Some of downtown Birmingham’s most prominent buildings—such as the City Federal Building, Brown-Marx Tower, Elyton Hotel, John-Hand Building and the Thomas Jefferson Tower—dominate the landscape. It’s so fun to sit and watch the cars roll down 1st Avenue!
What’s Next for The Kelly?
The Kelly has big plans for the new year, including a new restaurant & bar concept—the Calico—inside the hotel’s lobby. At the Calico, you’ll find a tapas-style menu and a cocktail menu with creative drinks, including sparkling wines & champagne. Make sure to visit the Calico in early 2022.
“We are so thrilled to finally be able to share the end result of our team’s hard work these last few years. We truly believe we are bringing something not only beautiful but very unique to our city, both in the design elements throughout the property but also in the experience itself. Whether you are an out of town guest or a local, we hope your experience at The Kelly transports you away from the every-day.
Personally, I can’t wait to see our first guests hanging out in the lobby and sipping champagne—we plan to have lots of bubbly options as well as some unique bourbon and scotch choices when the bar opens early next year—so kick those “dry January” plans to the curb and come visit us! Also for any business owners looking for space, we have retail space on 21st Street that is still available as well as space on Morris Avenue.”
Kelly Lewis, partner at Jones Walker, who collaborated with her husband Jim Lewis of Rhaglan Hospitality on the development of The Kelly
Looking to plan your next vacation (or stay-cation?) in Birmingham? You’re in luck—The Kelly will officially begin to welcome guests starting this weekend. Click here to learn more & plan your visit. Follow @thekellyhotel on Instagram for updates & tag your pics with #TheKelly for a chance to get featured!
