18 developments we’re looking forward to seeing in Birmingham in 2023

Despite its challenges, 2022 was an exciting year for developments in The Magic City. We saw the grand openings of Protective Stadium, CityWalk BHAM and dozens more. Keep reading to learn what’s in store in 2023.

1. Hood-McPherson Building

Auburn University is bringing new life to the former Hood-McPherson Furniture showroom on Fourth Avenue North in downtown Birmingham. The University is working with Williams Blackstock Architects on a comprehensive renovation of the building. Once complete, the space will be used by the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Urban Studio and the Harbert College of Business.

Click here to read more about the Hood-McPherson project.

2. Theater Lofts

Located across from the Alabama Theatre, the aptly-named Theater Lofts project is a renovation of the historic Duke Brothers building by Birmingham-based construction company Rader McCary, Inc., which previously renovated the Zinszer Building on 2nd Avenue North.

Click here to read more about the Theater Lofts.

3. The Star Uptown

The Star at Uptown is one of the most anticipated developments in Birmingham. Located on the footprint of the former Carraway Hospital, The Star at Uptown will include office, retail, entertainment, hotel, residential spaces and more. Currently, development on The Star at Uptown is waiting on the demolition of Carraway Hospital, which is expected to be complete in Spring 2023.

4. North Birmingham Amphitheater

Located at The Star at Uptown, the North Birmingham Amphitheater is a proposed $50M, 9,000-seat amphitheater in North Birmingham. In October, the amphitheater cleared its first hurdle when the BJCC and the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) came to an agreement that would allow the BJCC to divert funds to support the amphitheater project.

Click here for the latest news on the North Birmingham Amphitheater.

5. Publix at Cahaba Crossing

A new Publix is coming to the intersection of Old Leeds Road and Grants Mill Road in Irondale. Dubbed the Publix at Cahaba Crossing, this new grocery store is a welcome addition to the Irondale area—especially to residents of The Heights, a one-of-a-kind luxury community that opened on the Grants Mill Corridor in 2022.

6. The Tramont

High-end luxury condos are coming to Arlington Avenue in Highland Park. Developed by D&A Companies, The Tramont is an upcoming luxury condo building that will include one-, two- and three-bedroom residences overlooking downtown Birmingham. The residence is expected to open in late 2023.

7. The Frank

In 2021, Orchestra Partners began a $42M transformation of the historic Frank Nelson building, introducing 180 new residential units to downtown Birmingham. The 10-story Frank Nelson building was originally constructed in 1903 as the First National Bank Building, and currently houses a UPS Store and beloved eatery Trattoria Zaza. Called Common at The Frank, applications for this 180-unit apartment community are now available with a February 2023 move-in date.

8. Edgehill at Southtown

A little over a year ago, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) begin the demolition of the aging Southtown Court. Once demolition is complete and the site is prepped, the Southside Development Company will begin construction of Edgehill at Southtown, a vibrant community with greenspaces, shops, restaurants and more. According to the Southside Development Company, the first construction at the site will focus on affordable senior and family housing.

9. The Hardwick

Located on 1st Avenue South, The Hardwick is an adaptive mixed-use project that aims to transform a vacant former steel manufacturing plant into a dynamic space to live & work. Once complete, the ground floor will include retail options and restaurants—such as Nashville-based Mediterranean eatery Epice, which is scheduled to open in Summer 2023.

10. Southern Research Biotech Center

In mid-2022, Southern Research broke ground on a new, $84M flagship biotech center on the former site of Quinlan Castle in Southside. The new center is expected to create 150 new jobs at Southern Research, double the space for infectious diseases research and increase the institution’s annual economic impact to $300 million a year.  

11. Mercantile on Morris Phase II

Phase II of the popular Mercantile on Morris development—a project from Orchestra Partners—will see the former Lindsey Office Furnishings space transformed into an expansion of Mercantile on Morris and include additional residential condos, four 500-square-foot commercial spaces and a rental storage facility.

12. Powell Avenue Steam Plant

Another transformative program from Orchestra Partners, the 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. Earlier this year, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was announced as the anchor tenant for the project.

13. Crestline Heights

Formerly known as Arbor Terrace, Crestline Heights is an upcoming $200M multi-use development located the former Trinity Medical Center site. Once complete, the development will include a corporate campus, single-tenant buildings and a luxury condominium space called Station Crestline—a 277-unit development featuring luxury style one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments..

Portions of the development, including Station Crestline, are expected to be complete by Spring 2023.

14. Scarbrough Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise

In July 2021, Navy veteran Kathy Scarbrough bought a commercial building in Ensley with plans to transform it into a robust center for entrepreneurship. Dubbed “The Scarbrough Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise”, the center will offer office spaces, a podcast studio and media center, an outdoor courtyard and workforce training programs for small businesses. What’s more, the building—which was originally a substation for Birmingham Railway Light & Electric Company—will include a working museum detailing the area’s history.

15. Magnolia Point

Built in the 1930s, Magnolia Point is a building located near the former Southtown Court site in Birmingham’s Southside. In 2021, developers began renovation of the building by removing the outdated siding and rooftop to expose the original brick facade. Once complete, the owners plan to utilize the building for new bars, retail shops or restaurants.

16. Brookwood Village

Nearly one year ago, Bham Now took a walk through the nearly-vacant Brookwood Village to see what was left of the once-bustling shopping mall. In 2021, Birmingham-based Fairway Investments and Atlanta-based Pope & Land Real Estate acquired the majority of the property, as well as the neighboring Brookwood Office Center. Although the developers’ plans are not yet public, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for Brookwood Village in 2023.

17. Village Green at Stadium Trace

In September Birmingham-based commercial real estate development company Broad Metro broke ground on Village Green, a new lifestyle venue & entertainment district located at Stadium Trace Village. The 10,000-square-foot public space is designed to be a family-oriented arts and entertainment venture and create a hub for arts and culture within Stadium Trace Village.

According to a press release from Broad Metro, Village Green is expected to be completed by Fall 2023. Click here to read more about the development.

18. Woodlawn High School Stadium

In 2021, the Birmingham Board of Education approved a bid of $8.7 million to build a stadium and field house at Woodlawn High School. Once complete, the new stadium will accommodate 2,800 fans and will be located on the site of the school’s current practice field.

Which development are you most looking forward to in 2023? Did we miss a development you’re looking forward to? Tag us @bhamnow on Facebook and Instagram to let us know!