Historic redevelopment bringing new office space, retail space to Parkside

A long-vacant building in Birmingham’s Parkside District is getting a major facelift, thanks to a historic local company and tax credits.

A major renovation for a vacant warehouse in Parkside

Birmingham’s Parkside district is continuing to grow! According to a press release from UB Community Development, local engineering firm MBA Engineers is utilizing an $11 million New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) to acquire and renovate the vacant Wood Wade Building as the firm’s new headquarters.

Founded in Birmingham in 1928, MBA Engineering is a minority-owned structural and civil engineering firm currently headquartered in the Blach’s Building in downtown Birmingham. The firm has been involved in several projects in The Magic City, including The Birmingham Zoo, the Westin Hotel, the Southern Research Biotech Center and Livano Liberty Park.

In 2025, MBA Engineers purchased the Wood Wade Building in a $2.8 million transaction, with plans to renovate the vacant building as the firm’s new headquarters. Originally constructed in 1932 as a lumber mill, the Wood Wade Building is a one-story warehouse on the corner of 1st Avenue South and 14th Street South in Parkside, next to Good People Brewing Co. and across the street from the west entrance to Regions Field.

MBA Engineers worked with UB Community Development (UBCD), the community development partner of United Bank, to help finance the project with an $11 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC).

“UBCD is committed to fostering growth and opportunity in underserved areas. This project exemplifies how NMTC investments can drive meaningful change by creating jobs and improving communities across the region. I want to thank Keith Owens and the project team for allowing UBCD to play a role in this project.”

Alex Jones, Executive Vice President of United Bank and President of UB Community Development

Once complete, the renovated Wood Wade Building will include over 11,000 square feet of commercial space for MBA Engineers’ new headquarters, as well as 8,000 square feet for new food and beverage retail tenants along the street-facing façade.

Excited to see a vacant building in Birmingham get a new lease on life? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!