Reviewed by: Pat Byington
CONFIRMED: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema project canceled in Birmingham
Reading time: 3 minutes

Sad news for moviegoers in Birmingham. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinemaโanchor tenant of a proposed redevelopment of the Powell Steam Plantโwill no longer be coming to Birmingham. Read on to learn more about the project and why it was canceled.
Powell Steam Plant redevelopment

In February 2022, representatives from Orchestra Partners, Alabama Power, the City of Birmingham and other key partners met at the historic Powell Steam Plant to announce the mixed-use developmentโs anchor tenant: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has received praise as the โ#1 theater in Americaโ by Entertainment Weekly and the โCoolest Movie Theater in the Worldโ by Wired.
โWe are so excited to have the opportunity to bring Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to the city of Birmingham and to the whole state of Alabama. If youโre not familiar with our brand, we currently operate 37 locations in 13 states throughout the country. Plus, we love historic buildings and we have a real knack for transforming old cool things into super cool new things.โ
Chris Drazba, Chief Development Officer of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in a statement at
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema would be the anchor tenant of a massive redevelopment of the Powell Steam Plant, a historic steam plant that provided power to businesses and streetcar lines from its construction in 1895 until the mid-2000s.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema not coming to Birmingham

At the time of the announcement, developers planned to begin construction on the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Summer 2022, with the goal of opening in Fall 2023. However, construction never beganโand the webpage for the Birmingham location was removed from the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemaโs website.
Anthony Cook with Alabama Power Company confirmed the cancelation of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Birmingham location with the following statement about the future of the development.
โAlabama Power and Orchestra Partners have mutually agreed to make changes in Powell Steam Plantโs development team. Both parties remain committed to the Cityโs growth and long-term success, and we look forward to great things ahead.โ
Anthony Cook, Communications Principal, Alabama Power Company
What would you like to see go in the Powell Avenue Steam Plant site? Tag us @bhamnow to share your ideas!