railroadpk 3 1 scaled e1789504116381 Birmingham backs $82M hotel near Railroad Park — Site of the proposed boutique hotel across from Railroad Park at 1625 First Avenue South. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

A big change is coming to the lot across from Railroad Park.

The Birmingham City Council approved two measures today that will support efforts to build an $82 million hotel, restaurant and retail development.

Located at 1625, 1627 and 1631 First Avenue South, the proposed 140-room hotel will be developed by Parkside Hotel Partners. The project is a joint effort between Dallas, Texas-based Matthews Hospitality Group and local developer Overton.

140 hotel rooms + 80 permanent jobs

railroadpk 1 1 Birmingham backs $82M hotel near Railroad Park — Site of the proposed boutique hotel across from Railroad Park at 1625 First Avenue South. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Here’s what the city says the project will bring, according to Birmingham Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity Coreata Houser:

140 hotel rooms
2,000 square feet of meeting rooms
3,500 square-foot ballroom
20,000 square feet of community space open to the public
About 225 construction jobs
80 permanent jobs

Matthews Hospitality Group works on projects throughout the nation. It’s currently leading construction of the $3.7 billion Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, the largest public works project in Dallas history.

Project will clean up brownfield site + increase tourism

Screen Shot 2018 10 16 at 5.54.25 AM Birmingham backs $82M hotel near Railroad Park

Drone photograph of the Powell Avenue Steam Plant property. (Provided by Shannon Waltchack)

The two measures the council passed will provide tax benefits to the developer for remediating and redeveloping the land, which has been classified as a brownfield site, and for increasing tourism.

Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams, chair of the Tourism Committee, said the project fills a long-standing gap downtown:

“Birmingham has needed a true first-class hotel in the downtown corridor for years, and this development helps us meet that need at exactly the right time. With the KultureCity campus taking shape next door and the continued growth around Railroad Park and Parkside, there’s a natural synergy between these investments.

“This is something our visitors and business community have needed for a long time, and I’m excited to see what it means for that entire area and for Birmingham as a destination.”
Hunter Williams, Birmingham City Councilor, chair of the Tourism Committee

Construction on the project will begin in summer 2027. The hotel is slated to open in summer 2029.

Facebook LinkedIn Tweet