What’s going up at the former Highland Plaza site in Southside? [Photos]

If you’ve driven around Southside lately, you might have noticed a pair of cranes on a construction site at the former Highland Plaza shopping center.

Bham Now spoke with Cameron Conner, Vice President at Daniel Corporation, to learn more about the development.

What’s going on at the former Highland Plaza site in Southside?

Back in 2018, local developer Daniel Corporation purchased the Highland Plaza site (as well as two adjoining properties) along Highland Avenue in Southside.

Their goal was to eventually redevelop the aging shopping center, which was built in the 1930s and the long-term home for several iconic businesses, including:

• A Western Supermarket
• Upside-Down Plaza
• Hot & Hot Fish Club
• Taj India
• Highland Package

However, the Daniel Corporation ran into a couple of setbacks along the way.

“When [Daniel Corporation] first bought Highland Plaza, the plan was to close the Western Supermarket temporarily and bring it back as an anchor for the new development.

Unfortunately, Western Supermarket as a company closed in 2019, so we pivoted and spend two years meeting with every grocer you can think of.”

Cameron Conner, Vice President, Daniel Corporation

Although Daniel Corporation made significant headway with one potential grocery partner, the COVID-19 pandemic set their plans back to square one.

“We spent a lot of time and money trying to make a grocery store part of this development, but the interest wasn’t there. Even after pivoting to a retail perspective, we had the same feedback: that corner of town needs more foot traffic, vibrancy and people living there.”

Cameron Conner, Vice President, Daniel Corporation

A new development in Southside: The James

In 2023, Daniel Corporation received unanimous approval from the Birmingham City Council to redevelop the Highland Plaza property, and demolition began later that year.

“In response to the feedback we recieved from potential retail prosects, we switched the development to an all-residential plan. Currently, the plan calls for 272 multifamily units for rent; we can redesign the ground floor if the right commercial retailer shows interest, but as construction progresses our flexibility diminishes.”

Cameron Conner, Vice President, Daniel Corporation

Dubbed The James, the new development will feature:

• 272 apartment units
• A five-story, 373-space parking deck
• An outdoor pool and courtyard for residents
• Potential space for commercial retail

When will The James be complete?

Despite setbacks in the planning stage, the Daniel Corporation has made impressive progress with the development over the past few months.

“We’re looking at close to two years left on construction. We won’t start the pre-leasing efforts—at least on the residential side—until around 18 months from now.”

Cameron Conner, Vice President, Daniel Corporation

Currently, their teams are working on the five-story parking deck; once complete, they’ll move on to the residential portion of the building.

Excited to see The James complete in Southside? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know what you think!