TOP 10: Birmingham’s most-read stories of 2023

It was a big year in Birmingham. From new developments and the mayor getting married to lots of movie star sightings of Matthew McConaughey (alright, alright, alright!), here’s a look at our top 10 stories of 2023.

1. SNEAK PEEK: Urban Parc is Birmingham’s newest fine dining, games, rooftop and fun spot [PHOTOS] 

The opening of Urban Parc in the heart of Birmingham’s Five Points South Entertainment District was such a sensation it nearly broke the internet.

One of the city’s most exciting entertainment venues to open this year, it features a fine dining restaurant, a rooftop bar, an arcade with vintage games and a place that serves delicious pub food while you watch your favorite team. That’s a lot to enjoy in one spot!

2. Building collapses on 1st Ave. North and Morris Ave. in Downtown Birmingham [PHOTOS] 

Another big story in Birmingham this year happened in April when a building on 1st Avenue North collapsed. Damage spilled onto both 1st Avenue North and Morris Avenue, just a couple blocks from Bham Now’s office, Carrigan’s Pub and the Hunt Modern development.

3. Golden Flake factory to close in July after 100 years in Birmingham 

When something closes after a century in business, it’s a big deal. The Golden Flake manufacturing facility closed in July in North Titusville, and we gave Birmingham the scoop.

Fun fact: For the state of Alabama, Golden Flake was the sponsor of The Bear Bryant Show. Must-see TV in the 1970s, Coach Bryant would begin each show with host Charley Thornton opening up a bag of Golden Flake chips.

4. CASTING ALERT: New movie filming in Birmingham this month seeking extras– here’s what we know 

The Greater Birmingham Area became even more of a hot spot for movies in 2023. Our readers were stoked to learn about The Shift filming here in the Magic City. A sci-fi flick, the movie follows the story of Kevin Gardner, who after a tense encounter with a mysterious stranger with otherworldly powers, is banished to a parallel Earth where he fights to get back to the woman he loves. 

The movie filmed in various locations, including like Sloss Furnaces, between January 30 and March 3. 

The call for extras helped this story spread like wildfire.

5. Matthew McConaughey spottings in Birmingham as he films The Rivals of Amizah King

When famed actor Matthew McConaughey films a movie in Birmingham, everyone knows about it. 

In July, the star was in town to film his latest movie, a crime thriller, The Rivals Of Amziah King, and people were spotting him everywhere.

Locals reported sightings in Bessemer, Mountain Brook, Pell City and even at Frothy Monkey in downtown Birmingham.

FYI: In 2023, Birmingham-area resident Emmali Osterhoudt pictured above not only met Matthew McConaughey, but she also found a $6,000 Galia Lahav wedding dress for just $25 at the Goodwill on Greensprings Highway. Someone had the year of her life!

6. Former AT&T skyscraper, Birmingham’s 3rd tallest building, to reopen with luxury apartments this summer

The Magic City loves a good skyscraper. Turning heads in April was the redevelopment of downtown Birmingham’s former AT&T City Center Building. The city’s third tallest skyscraper, the project led to the Summer 2023 opening of new luxury apartments named The 600.

7. Crestline home sells for $4M over asking price 

One story that blew us and our readers away was about a Mountain Brook home selling for $4M above the asking price.

The home on Country Club Boulevard was listed for $2,495,000 on July 10, 2023; it sold on July 21, 2023, for $6,000,000.

8. Mayor Randall Woodfin marries Kendra Morris in Birmingham [VIDEO] 

When Mayor Woodfin gets married, you know Birmingham needs all the juicy details.

On October 9, Woodfin announced he and his longtime girlfriend Kendra Morris had officially tied the knot in a private ceremony overlooking The Magic City.

The best news? Since most of us didn’t score an invite, Woodfin shared tons of photos and even a video of the big day. Wow, was it a gorgeous wedding!

9. BREAKING: Morgan Freeman and Luke Hemsworth to film movie in Birmingham this Spring 

I wasn’t kidding when I said movies being filmed in Birmingham was huge news this year. 

In February, we let you know Morgan Freeman and Luke Hemsworth would be filming a movie in Birmingham in Spring 2023. Let’s just say our readers couldn’t get enough of this buzz. 

The stars were in The Magic City to film Gunner, an action thrill about a Special Ops veteran Lee Gunner (Hemswortth), who goes against a drug cartel after his two sons are kidnapped. 

Morgan Freeman also made Alabama news the same week when word spread that he was supporting the Gulf Shores, Alabama Police Department as a volunteer. Come on, Morgan, just move here already.

10. Film starring Matthew McConaughey casting actors in Birmingham 

In May, Bham went wild once more when we revealed another casting call for The Rivals of Amziah King starring Matthew McConaughey.

Casting took place between June 12 and July 31.

This mother/daughter duo filled us in on what it was like to be cast as extras in the film.

What was your favorite story of 2023? Let us know on social @bham now.