17 developments we’re looking forward to in Birmingham in 2022

Alabama
Many exciting developments are coming to The Magic City in 2022. (Nathan Watson for Bham Now)

2021 was a big year for significant developments in The Magic City, such as the opening of the highly-anticipated Protective Stadium. With The World Games 2022 fast approaching, we rounded up 17 developments we can’t wait to see in the New Year.

1. Grandview Physicians Plaza II

Grandview
Construction on Grandview Medical Center Physicians Plaza II. (Nathan Watson for Bham Now)

In late 2020, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey joined representatives of Grandview Medical Center, Daniel Corporation and Brasfield & Gorrie to break ground on the Grandview Physicians Plaza II, a $50M addition to the existing Grandview Medical Center. The upcoming state-of-the-art facility, which will include 200,000 square-feet of space across seven stories, is scheduled to open in mid-2022.

2. 20 Midtown Phase III

20 Midtown
A rendering of upcoming third building at 20 Midtown. Rendering via CCR Architecture & Interiors

Earlier this year, work resumed on the third phase of 20 Midtown, the popular mixed-use development between Southside and downtown Birmingham.

In May, the development announced three new tenants that would be joining the roster at 20 Midtown:

  • Panda Express Chinese Kitchen will offer dine-in & drive-through service, in a 2,500-square-foot space. 
  • Milo’s Hamburgers returns to downtown Birmingham with a 3,200-square-foot space at 20 Midtown, indoor & outdoor seating, AND a double drive-through. 
  • Nail Resort will offer a ton of perks to those looking to live their best lives, including nail care, waxing, facials, massages, nail polishes and much more. 

In addition to the new tenants, the third phase of 20 Midtown will include 312 residential apartment units, ranging from 400 to 1,700 square feet. Once complete, the five-story building will take up an entire city block between 20th Street South and 3rd Avenue South. Developers plan to have 20 Midtown complete in late 2022.

3. Building Trades Tower ($40M)

Building Trades Tower
(Nathan Watson for Bham Now)

The 12-story Building Trades Tower, located in Five Points South, is getting a major $40M makeover thanks to new owner Restoration Capital Partners, LLC. After the building was devastated by a fire in 2015, the new owners aim to transform the building into a residential workforce housing development, including:

  • 242 studio & one-bedroom apartments. 
  • An on-site gym.
  • High-tech security for both the building and the accompanying parking deck.
  • 15,000 square-feet of amenity space on the bottom floor, including a Starbucks.

The project is estimated to be complete in 2022.

4. The Frank

The Frank
The Frank Nelson Building in downtown Birmingham. (Matthew Niblett for Bham)

In 2021, Birmingham developer Orchestra Partners launched a $40M redevelopment of the historic Frank Nelson Building on 20th Street. Built in 1903, this 10-story building was one of Birmingham’s earliest skyscrapers. The development, dubbed “The Frank”, will include 180 studio & one-bedroom apartments as well as space for retailers & restaurants, including:

  • UPS
  • Trattoria Zaza
  • An upcoming, unannounced restaurant

The redevelopment of The Frank is expected to be complete in 2022. 

5. Southtown Court

Southtown
Conceptual rendering of the Southtown redevelopment. Rendering via Gensler

Earlier this month, wrecking crews began the laborious process of demolishing the aging, 80-year Southtown Court housing development. Once the demolition is complete (expected in May 2022), work will begin on the redevelopment of Southtown Court, transforming the 22-acre site into a mixed-use housing & commercial development.

The redeveloped Southtown Court will include 400+ housing units, split between public housing and market-rate units. And that’s not all—the development will include more than 850,000 square-feet of office and commercial space, meant for grocery stores, retail stores and other businesses.

6. Artisan Flats

Artisan Flats
Artisan Flats will welcome new residents to Lakeview. Rendering via Harbert Realty Services

A boutique multifamily apartment complex known as Artisan Flats will soon be available in Lakeview. The 120-unit multifamily development is located in one of Birmingham’s most popular districts, known for its delicious restaurants, exciting bars and great times. The four-story complex will offer a variety of studio and one-bedroom apartments, and is scheduled to be complete in 2022.

7. The Hardwick

The Hardwick overhead view
The Hardwick by night. Rendering via Williams Blackstock Architects

Located along Rotary Trail, The Hardwick is one of the latest projects from Bayer Properties, the minds behind The Pizitz. Using the previously-vacant Hardwick Building, Bayer Properties is transforming the structure into an adaptive reuse mixed-use project. The project aims to incorporate the historic features of the historic building while enhancing the neighborhood with new restaurants, retail offerings and workspace.

Epice, an authentic Lebanese bistro based in Nashville, will be opening at The Hardwick in 2023.

8. Ghost Train @ M2

M2 development
New brews are on the horizon. (Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now)

Beer lovers, rejoice! In 2022, Ghost Train Brewing Co. will be opening a brand-new location, complete with a music venue, formal event space, larger taproom and more. Ghost Train’s new location will join a vibrant neighborhood of tenants at M2, a 70,000 square-foot space located in the former Old Car Heaven building. Additional tenants include:

  • Freshwater Land Trust
  • Gotcha Mobility
  • Trips for Kids

Ghost Train will join the community at M2 in 2022.

9. The Market at Pepper Place

Pepper Place
A rendering of what the proposed Market at Pepper Place pavilion could look like, once complete. Rendering via MASS Design Group

A beloved Birmingham tradition for over 20 years, The Market at Pepper Place is a gathering of local farmers, artists, musicians and more, taking place on Saturday mornings between late spring and early fall. In order to better serve the community, leadership of The Market at Pepper Place is working with architecture firm MASS Design Group to re-imagine The Market. Although plans are not set in stone, the project could include a large pavilion, community gardens and more. Groundbreaking is expected to begin in 2022, with the new Market complete by 2023!

10. The Tramont

Tramont
Views of The Magic City from the terrace of The Tramont. Rendering via D&A Companies

One of several new housing developments in Birmingham, The Tramont will be located in historic Highland-Redmont Park. With a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium residences, The Tramont is perfect for those looking for a high-end residence in one of the most popular residential areas of Birmingham.

Ground-breaking and construction for The Tramont is scheduled for spring 2022, and is targeting for occupancy by Q3 2023.

11. A.G. Gaston Motel

A.G. Gaston Sign
Newly restored A.G. Gaston sign. Photo via the City of Birmingham

Located in the 4th Avenue Historic District, the A.G. Gaston Motel is a key historic site of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, a collaborative partnership of the National Park Service, the City of Birmingham, and the Historical Preservation Authority. Earlier this year, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded the A.G. Gaston Motel with a $1.1M gift to help with the City of Birmingham’s restoration of the historic building.

The restoration of the A.G. Gaston Motel, which is expected to be complete in early summer 2022, will include the coffee shop and original dining room, as well as a space for community meetings.

12. The Andrea + More in Ensley

Ensley
A rendering of a development in Ensley. Render via Andrea Parker, originally published in the Birmingham Business Journal

In late 2021, local investment company Parker & Associates Investment Co. Inc. acquired a trio of buildings in downtown Ensley. The buildings are being considered for a number of projects that would benefit the community. Initiatives like The Color Project Ensley and developers like Parker & Associates are working to bring better-quality food options to Ensley.

A restaurant concept is slated for the first phase of the development, which they plan to complete by fall 2022.

13. Mercantile on Morris

Pizza Grace
The Bham Now team enjoying a meal at Pizza Grace, one of the tenants at Mercantile on Morris. (Nathan Watson for Bham Now)

Since it was first announced in 2019, Mercantile on Morris has been one of the most anticipated projects in downtown Birmingham. The development brings dozens of new residential units and thousands of square-feet of retail space to 1st Avenue North and Morris Avenue. Already, several retailers have opened (or are close to opening) their doors at Mercantile on Morris, including:

In 2022, developer Orchestra Partners will be working on the second phase of Mercantile on Morris, which will include:

  • Additional residential condos
  • Four 500-square-foot commercial spaces
  • A rental storage facility

14. The Powell Avenue Steam Plant

Powell
A rendering of the Powell Avenue Steam Plant. Renderings via Orchestra Partners

Part of the massive Parkside Master Plan, the project to renovate the historic Powell Avenue Steam Plant has run into a few hiccups, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to move forward with the development, Orchestra Partners needs to identify a major anchor tenant—and just as the team had a partner identified, the pandemic hit.

However, Orchestra Partners is looking forward to redeveloping the massive Powell Avenue Steam Plant. Redevelopment plans include transforming the building into a mixed-use entertainment center, perfect for performances, art shows and other public gatherings.

15. Urban Supply

Urban Supply
Urban Supply is a new development coming to Parkside. Rendering via Urban Supply

In September, Orchestra Partners kicked off the final phase of their Urban Supply development—a pedestrian alley known as The Aisle. Once complete, The Aisle will help connect the different sections of Urban Supply, a hub for fitness, food and entertainment in Parkside. Located in historic warehouses, Urban Supply is designed to offer roughly 100,000 square feet of commercial space, adjacent to the popular Good People Brewery.

16. CityWalk BHAM

City Walk BHAM
A rendering of a pavillion at City Walk BHAM. Rendering via City Walk BHAM

CityWalk BHAM, the highly-anticipated park under the new I-59/20 bridge in Birmingham, could be here sooner than you think. This massive, 31-acre park will be a gigantic step forward for a pedestrian-friendly Birmingham. Under the interstate, guests will be able to utilize walking trails, public parks, skate parks, outdoor classrooms, water features, market space, dog parks and so much more.

Weather-permitting, Brasfield & Gorrie plans to have portions of CityWalk BHAM ready just in time for The World Games 2022.

17. The Citizen

The Citizen
The Citizen, an upcoming student housing complex near UAB. Rendering via Creature

Located near UAB, The Citizen is an upcoming micro-unit student housing project from local design/build firm Creature. Six stories tall, The Citizen will offer 140 micro-unit apartments, reserved solely for renters and catered to students and medical workers at UAB.

Phew! That’s a lot of upcoming developments! Which are you looking forward to the most? Did we miss any? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer

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