Iconic Carraway star coming down, final demolition beginning soon

For over half a century, the revolving blue star atop Carraway Hospital was a welcome sight for both patients and passersby. Now—67 years after it was installed—the iconic star is coming down in preparation for the final demolition of Carraway Hospital.

A new home for the iconic Carraway star

This week, workers are working to clear the former Carraway Hospital site for redevelopment—and the iconic star needs a new home.

“As soon as we started this development, the first thing people wanted to know is what we would do with the star. The star was one of Birmingham’s most recognizable landmarks, and it mattered to people. We incorporated the star into the development’s name and logo because we wanted to honor that history even as we build a new future at this important site.”

Robert Simon, CEO of CR-Endeavors

Located in Birmingham’s Norwood neighborhood, Carraway Hospital was a medical center that traced its roots to Dr. Charles Carraway’s first 16-bed hospital, which opened in 1908. The hospital grew rapidly over the decades, and by the 1980s, Carraway was the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Birmingham and operated a Lifesaver helicopter program with a doctor on every flight.

Unfortunately, the hospital ran into financial trouble in the early 2000s and closed for good on October 31, 2008.

In 2021, developers announced bold plans for a new mixed-use redevelopment of the Carraway Hospital site, called The Star Uptown. The iconic star will be prominently featured in the development.

“We look forward to the day when the star takes a place of prominence in its namesake development. We are eager to see this site become an asset once again for people who live nearby and for the city as a whole.” 

Robert Simon, CEO of CR-Endeavors

The Star Uptown will feature housing, offices, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues that are expected to spur further investment in northern Birmingham.

What’s next for Carraway Hospital site?

On the western side of the site, construction has begun on the new Coca-Cola Amphitheater. Owned by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) and managed by Live Nation, the Coca-Cola Amphitheater is scheduled to open in June 2025.

Demolition of the Carraway Hospital site will pause during the first season of the Coca-Cola Amphitheater; new construction is anticipated to start this summer and continue in phases over several years.

What do you think of The Star Uptown development? Tell us your memories of the Carraway Star on social media @bhamnow!