The historic “Little Villa on Highland” has a new owner with big plans for the property. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Big news for Highland Park! Thanks to public support and the efforts of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association, Birmingham Historical Society, Friends of Highland Park and numerous residents, the historic “Little Villa on Highland” has a new owner who plans to restore the iconic structure.

Little Villa on Highland has a new owner

A little over a year ago, we learned that the historic home at 2931 Highland Avenue South—affectionately known as the “Little Villa on Highland”—was in danger of being demolished.

At the time, the owner requested approval from the Birmingham Design Review Committee to demolish the home and construct a new, six-unit apartment building on the site.

Upon learning that the historic home was in danger, local activists and advocates sprang into action. The Highland Park Local Historic Advisory Committee (LHAC) voted to deny the demolition and the Highland Park Neighborhood Association launched a Change.org petition to save the building, garnering nearly 2,500 supporters.

When the Birmingham Design Review Committee had an opportunity to review the demolition proposal, they tabled the measure. This action effectively halted the project.

Thanks to public support and the action of neighborhood groups like the Highland Park Neighborhood Association, a new owner was identified and officially closed on the property on January 15, 2025.

“We are thrilled with the outcome. It took a lot of patience and a lot of different people and organizations were involved in saving the structure, including all the people who signed the petition, Friends of Highland Park, our local Historic Advisory Committee and residents of the neighborhood.

We are proud to have saved one of the last remaining historic single family homes on Highland Avenue.”
Elizabeth Sanfelippo, President, Highland Park Neighborhood Association

According to Marjorie White with the Birmingham Historical Society, the new owner plans to renovate the property for residential use.

“This represents a real ‘first’ for stopping an inappropriate development and finding a respectful new use. I commend the neighborhood officers and everyone involved, who banded together to find an appropriate use and purchaser of the property. This is a major victory for Highland Park.”
Marjorie White, Director, Birmingham Historical Society

About the Little Villa on Highland

Located next to Rojo, the “Little Villa on Highland” is a historic, 2,160 square-foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms in Highland Park. The home was constructed in 1923 by Mr. and Mrs. Colby, a couple who had moved to Birmingham in 1890.

Fun fact: The “Little Villa on Highland” shares similar design aesthetics with Mr. Colby’s “Colby Decorating Company Building” at 2400 7th Avenue South—the building is now home to Dread River Distilling Company.

Inspired by the elegant country villas of ancient Rome, the “Little Villa” was designed by William Leslie Welton, a prolific Birmingham architect who also designed:

The Empire Building (now the Elyton Hotel)
The John Hand Building
The original Tutwiler Hotel as well as the Ridgley Apartments, now known as the Tutwiler Hotel
The Massey Building
Mayor George Ward’s Vestavia estate and the surviving Sibyl Temple, which now overlooks Highway 31

Bonus: Two of Highland Park’s “Three Sisters” houses are up for sale

With the “Little Villa on Highland” in safe hands, we now turn our eyes over to the next big restoration opportunity in Highland Park: the George Harris and Robert Warner residences.

Located across from Rufus Rhodes Park, the two long-vacant homes (and the neighboring, inhabited Eugene Enslen residence) are lovingly referred to as the “Three Sisters.” These three homes were built in the early 1900s and originally inhabited by three sisters and their husbands.

After years of neglect, the two homes officially hit the market on August 26, listed as a combined lot for sale on Redfin at a price tag of $1,000,000.

Excited to see what the new owner has planned for the “Little Villa on Highland”? What would you like to see happen with the two ‘Three Sisters” homes? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know your thoughts!