Reviewed by: Pat Byington
NEW: “The Factory at Golden Flake” redevelopment planned for Birmingham
Reading time: 4 minutes
Huge news for Birmingham! Today, the new owners of the former Golden Flake factory in North Titusville announced their plans for a massive mixed-use redevelopment of the property.
Read on to learn more about “The Factory at Golden Flake” and its anchor tenant, Southeastern Salvage.
Former Golden Flake facility has new owners
Less than a year after Golden Flake closed its manufacturing facility in North Titusville, the factory has new owners with big dreams.
In April 2023, Utz Foods—the parent company of Golden Flake—announced that their manufacturing facility in North Titusville would close around July. Since then, the 36.7-acre property and its 283,310-square-foot warehouse have sat empty.
Now, the former Golden Flake facility has new owners.
According to the Jefferson County public records, a Chattanooga investment group named 2nd in Building Materials Inc. recently purchased the factory for $6 million.
About The Factory at Golden Flake
When I first heard about “The Factory at Golden Flake,” I immediately thought of a familiar site from my hometown: The Factory at Franklin. A redevelopment of a former stove manufacturing plant in Franklin, Tennessee, The Factory at Franklin is a mixed-use facility with dozens of shops, restaurants and experiences, including farmer’s markets, concerts and other events.
Soon, Birmingham will have something similar.
Similar to The Factory at Franklin, The Factory at Golden Flake will offer retail and warehouse space throughout the five-building complex.
According to a press release, 2nd in Building Materials, Inc. plans to spend between $3M and $4M to upgrade the facility. Involved in the project are:
- Tammy Cohen and Robert Bruner of CCR Architecture & Interiors, architects of record
- Robert Crook and Bart Moore of IronVest Partners, who will handle leasing and sales
The new owners anticipate being ready for move-in during the first quarter of 2025.
“Last year, when I heard the news about Golden Flake closing, my mind immediately went to the people in our community who would be losing their jobs and what it would mean for our area. Fast forward to today – almost a year later – having this kind of major investment being made in District 6 is going to completely transform the area I believe. The factory is just right down the street from Memorial Park, the major BRT route and so much more. This is going to be a catalyst for redevelopment and revitalization in this community.”
Councilor Crystal Smitherman, Birmingham City Council, District 6
The Factory at Golden Flake’s first tenant
The Factory at Golden Flake has already secured its anchor tenant—longtime Irondale establishment Southeastern Salvage Home Emporium. Founded in Chattanooga in 1980, Southeastern Salvage currently operates eleven stores in six states.
Once the redevelopment is complete, Southeastern Salvage will move its Birmingham operations from 5421 Beacon Drive to a new 135,000-square-foot space at The Factory at Golden Flake.
The new space will allow them to double the size of their current store and add a 66,000-square-foot outdoor garden and patio center.
“When your current LL partners with you to help you move to meet that demand, that says a lot about their belief and understanding of the Birmingham market and its potential. We see the growth all around the Golden Flake site and are looking forward to the redevelopment and growth of the area.
We are excited about the opportunity to revitalize and occupy a building that has played such a big role in Birmingham and Alabama’s history.”
Scott Leroy, Vice President of Southeastern Salvage Company
Excited to see a new redevelopment in Birmingham? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know what you think!
