House Eleven / Woodlawn — Caleb Taylor and Kim Nguyen are the owners of House Eleven in Woodlawn. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

On Monday, March 10, Woodlawn residents Kim Nguyen and Caleb Taylor officially opened the doors to their new café, bar and event space: House Eleven. Located at 5229 1st Ave N along U.S. Route 11, the new space is a charming, welcoming addition to the Woodlawn community.

We spoke with Kim and Caleb to learn more about House Eleven.

Creating a new neighborhood space in Woodlawn

Big things are happening in Woodlawn, the historic neighborhood and blossoming community to the east of downtown Birmingham.

Over the past few years, Woodlawn has seen a flurry of growth driven by the community’s greatest asset: its people. Events like the Woodlawn Sunday Dinner serve as a natural way for residents to make meaningful connections with their neighbors, while businesses like Polaris BHM, D’Trespa Consignment & Vintage Boutique, Woodlawn Theatre and Jazz on 55th introduce new people to the neighborhood.

It’s the unique community spirit that inspired Woodlawn residents Kim Nguyen and Caleb Taylor to create the neighborhood’s new café, bar and event space—House Eleven.

Both born and raised in the Birmingham area, Kim and Caleb met while studying at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Since then, Kim earned an MBA from Auburn University and landed a job in renewable energy while Caleb founded his own home-building business.

Somehow in between their day jobs and raising their firstborn, Kim and Caleb find time to buy and refurbish historic homes in Woodlawn.

“From a formal standpoint, we’re both trained engineers. However, we’re both very creative—so rebuilding these homes is a happy, fulfilling medium that lets us flex both our creative and technical muscles.”
Kim Nguyen, Co-Owner, House Eleven

Recently, the couple purchased the house at 5229 1st Ave N, a historic residence built in 1900 and in need of some TLC.

“As the build progressed, we had to decide what we wanted to do with this space. Selfishly as consumers and residents of the neighborhood, we wanted to create one place where we could have all of our favorite things—and share them with our neighbors.”
Kim Nguyen, Co-Owner, House Eleven

Woodlawn’s new café, bar and event space

Billed as your “Passport to Better Days,” House Eleven is a charming, inclusive space purposefully created to be somewhere that everyone feels welcome.

“House Eleven is located on U.S. Route 11, a major highway that goes from New Orleans to Montreal. Just as Route 11 takes you from one side of the country to another, we want House Eleven to take you from one place to another.”
Caleb Taylor, Co-Founder, House Eleven

As you progress through the House, you’ll see the change yourself.

(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Up front, the lounge rooms are dark and cozy—inspired by the Dark Academia aesthetic and historic Birmingham. Hundred-year-old Persian rugs cushion the floor while vintage candles and sculpted busts from a local artist accent the mantle.

Towards the center, House Eleven brightens up and takes on a warmer, tropical tone reminiscent of an overseas consulate.

“There’s an iconic cocktail bar in Puerto Rico called La Factoría, and inside, each room is a completely different environment. House Eleven is inspired by that concept—we want anyone to be able to walk in and find a corner of the house that is cozy to them.”
Caleb Taylor, Co-Founder, House Eleven

Out back, House Eleven has a rear patio with additional seating, a stage and even a hookup for hosting food trucks in the future.

Starting bright and early at six in the morning, House Eleven’s café will offer coffee made with beans from several local roasters: June Coffee, Domestique Coffee and Red Bike Coffee.

“We’re thrilled to be working with these local roasters, and we can’t wait to ask a customer if they’d like their Macchiato or Americano made with June, Domestique or Red Bike Coffee!”
Kim Nguyen, Co-Founder, House Eleven

House Eleven’s bar program is still under development while they wait to receive their liquor license.

“We’re really excited to get the bar program up and running in the near future. We want the bar to have an international feel—with influences from all around the globe—and we are working with local talent to craft the menu.”
Caleb Taylor, Co-Founder, House Eleven

House Eleven can also be rented out for private events. In fact, Woodlawn resident and Birmingham City Councilor J.T. Moore will be hosting an event at House Eleven this week.

“When my wife and I moved to Woodlawn in 2013, we didn’t know anyone. We met Kim and Caleb at a porch party, and they were the first people to invite us to their dinner table. It was a pivotal moment that showed me what community truly means in Woodlawn.”
J.T. Moore, Birmingham City Councilor, District 4

Visit House Eleven in Woodlawn

House Eleven is officially open in Woodlawn, so swing by to check it out for yourself.

“We put in a lot of time, money and effort into renovating this house by hand—but it was a labor of love. We can’t wait to welcome our first guests to House Eleven.”
Kim Nguyen, Co-Founder, House Eleven