Design/Build Firm: River Brook Design & Construction. Architect: Justin Collier. Photography by Jean Allsopp
“Our goal was to make the interior and exterior have a cohesive European feel. Extensive consideration was given to the selection of all materials, plantings, and surfaces.”
River Brook Design & Construction
Entry
Room Design by L. Vogtle Interiors
Living Room
Room Design by L. Vogtle Interiors and Design Supply
Study
Room Design by L. Vogtle Interiors and Design Supply
Passageway
Room Design by L. Vogtle Interiors, Design Supply, and Mark Kennamer Design
Powder Room
Room Design by Laurin White, Cambridge Row Select
Stair Hall
Room Design by Design Supply
Side Entry
Room Design by Hiltz-Lauber
Wet Bar
Room Design by Starling Interiors
Kitchen
Room Design by Leigh Misso, River Brook Design & Construction
Dinging Room
Room Design by Mark Kennamer Design
Butler’s Pantry
Room Design by Heather Steen, Steenhaus
Outdoor Living
Outdoor Living Design by Shelby Ames
Main Bedroom
Room Design by Danielle Balanis Design
Main Bath
Room Design by Danielle Balanis Design
Landing
Room Design by Ashford Hill for Henhouse Antiques
Bedroom & Bathroom
Room Design by Jeremy D. Clark Studio
Bedroom & Bathroom
Room Design by Ashley Ayer Interiors
Bedroom & Bathroom
Room Design by Pandy Agnew Interiors
Upstairs Den
Room Design by Stock & Trade Design Co.
Landscaping
Landscaping Design by Todd Dorlon, TMD Landscape Designs
Nothing will scare a homebuyer more than a Google search for “How do I get approved for a mortgage?” The search results will likely lead down a rabbit hole of misinformation, convincing the buyer that he or she needs exactly 20% down, perfect credit, and two years on the job. And if the buyer clicks on an ad while searching and puts in a phone number, that person will likely be getting numerous calls from lead-buying online lenders within minutes.
The fact is, most buyers can finance a house with 5% down and any length of time on a salaried job or one year on a commission job. A local lender who knows the latest loan programs and takes the time to understand the borrower’s needs can save time, money, and frustration.
A local lender, McGowin-King Mortgage offers purchase, refinance, renovation, and construction loans, plus reverse mortgages.
Here are some of the best tips for this competitive market.
GET APPROVED EARLY. Most preapprovals are good for 120 days, so getting approved early allows your realtor and you to move nimbly.
CONSIDER A NONCONTINGENT OFFER. This isn’t a risk-free approach, but if you qualify with the new mortgage and your current one, you could make an offer not contingent on the sale of your house, which is more attractive. And after you sell your house, you may be able to recast the loan buy to pay it down without a refinance.
CLOSE BEFORE YOU START YOUR NEW JOB. The pandemic era has increased job transitions for many Americans. But most home sellers want to close quickly, and if you’re starting a new job in, say 60 days, asking for that much time can hurt your offer. But some lenders allow you to close before you start, as long as you have a signed employment offer. This way you can offer to close quickly even if the new job hasn’t begun.
USE A LOCAL LENDER. In markets like Birmingham, the realtor community is tight, and most agents prefer working with a local, known lender rather than a big-box or online lender. An approval letter from a local lender carries more weight and makes that offer more attractive, in part because brokers and local lenders generally have a better track record with on-time closings.
Warner McGowin
Founded in 1998 by Jim King and Travis McGowin, McGowin-King Mortgage is one of Birmingham’s most trusted mortgage lenders.
With a group of 14 originators, processors, and staff, we pursue a simple philosophy: We believe that when you exceed a customer’s expectations, you build a relationship. That’s much more than just a transaction. It means we’re here before, during, and after your loan or HECM process. It means we’re your advocate during one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. It means we want to do business with you again, and we’re willing to work hard to earn it.
While those are simple ideas, they’re not common practices. But those are our guiding principles. Everything we do, we do with these goals in mind.
THERE IS SOMETHING KIND OF MAGICAL ABOUT POPCORN. The sound of it popping, the smell of it roasting—it all just kind of goes hand-in-hand with fun. You might say that this mentality of bringing people together in a happy state of mind was the “kernel” of how Tanesha and Clem Summers created Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.
We donate up to 10% of our annual revenue to causes that work to create change.
You’ve inspired a fan group who call themselves Popheads. How did you inspire legions?
We wish we could say that it was always our dream to own a kettle corn shop. Instead, what we have always had a passion for is community and bringing people together in a positive way. Kettle corn does that! After 15 years in the corporate world of banking and digital marketing, I (Tanesha) was ready for something different and tapped into my entrepreneurial side to launch the company in 2014.
Why kettle corn?
Initially, I (Tanesha) wanted to spend more time being a wife and mom and was looking to start a business that would make that possible while still allowing me to give back to people. While we specialize in selling small-batch, artisan-style kettle corn blends, we also use this product to help communities. We help people celebrate life’s sweet moments while keeping social responsibility at the forefront of our operations.
What does it mean to call Birmingham home?
Birmingham is a unique city with lots of opportunity and growth potential. It welcomes innovation and creativity. Community support makes it ideal for small businesses to thrive if they embrace the resources. We’ve been the proud recipients of so many local awards—the 2019 Les Dames d’Escoffier new entrepreneur; the 2020 Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40; and the 2015 PNC Bank’s Big Pitch, to name a few—which show how much this city supports people with vision who work hard.
Do you have a mantra?
Grow where you are planted. I also tell people that success is where preparedness meets opportunity. Never stop learning. Enjoy the process, and be sure to focus on your mental well-being.
Where can readers find Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. and become the next generation of Popheads?
Customers can order online atnbnkettlecorn.com for local pickup or shipping. Or see our events page to find Mr. Poppy, our kettle corn food truck. He makes appearances all over town!
ALABAMA DOES INTERESTING THINGS TO PEOPLE. Visitors to the Magic City often find themselves at the corner of “surprised” and “what if” and decide to convert a short stint into a permanent life here. Melanie and Josh Cosio are two such individuals. These transplants from California fell in love with life in Birmingham and decided to put down roots. Their bespoke coffee company, Cala Coffee, is headquartered in Cahaba Heights but is happily caffeinating folks all over town.
How did two Californians end up starting a coffee business in Alabama?
We moved to Birmingham in 2016 without even visiting it first! Our plan was to finish out a one-year internship here and then move on. But after Melanie got accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UAB, we decided to stay and put down roots in Cahaba Heights. We’d always dreamed of a coffee- roasting company, so in 2021 we decided to start this journey, calling our company Cala for the California/Alabama connection. We began by launching our coffee cart after receiving a lot of encouragement on the Cahaba Heights Community Facebook page. Owning a small business is a wild ride—at times we feel like we are crushing it, but then the next day it can feel like we have no clue what we’re doing. Thankfully we have each other to lean on, so we’re able to tackle the doubts together and get back on track.
We worked our first wedding last October. The bride reached out to us in the spring of 2021. We thought it was so exciting that someone believed in us enough to want us at an event months down the road. All of our hard work had finally helped us achieve our goal.
Cala Coffee Advice: “Set goals and make plans, but trust your gut. It’s okay to go off-script if you’re being pulled in another direction.”
“We hope our coffee leaves our customers feeling energized and inspired to make connections with others, get their work done, play with their kids a little more, or push harder in a workout.”
Where can we find you?
We have a pop-up cart at Fig Tree in Cahaba Heights and at the Saturday Birdsong Market each week. Our coffee cart can also be rented for events like weddings, employee appreciations, grand openings, etc. And you can find our roasted beans at six area Piggly Wiggly locations, as well as Local Source. The full line, along with our Cala merch, can be found on our website: calacoffeeco.com.
Best advice?
“Stay in touch with your people.” A friend gave us this bit of advice when discussing how to manage people helping with our brick-and-mortar shop’s buildout, but we’ve applied it in many different circumstances. We are committed to staying in touch with our customers by giving them what they like while also staying true to our values. In working around the clock to build our company, our social lives take a hit from time to time. It is during those moments that we remind ourselves to also stay in touch with the people that bring out our best. A small business can only be as happy as the people running it!
Our Maple Latte is always a customer favorite, hot or cold: For a hot treat, combine 8 ounces milk of your choice (we prefer oat milk) with 1 ounce maple syrup and a shot of Cala espresso. In the warmer months, we make it cold by combining 6 ounces oat milk with 1 ounce maple syrup and 4 ounces Cala cold brew.
It’s really that simple. Trying to time the real estate market is incredibly challenging because so many changing factors affect buying, such as housing inventory and affordability, interest rates and the lending environment, and employment and job growth. There are also micro factors in local markets that affect the viability of buying in any given part of the country—housing regulations, zoning, and local economic vibrancy, to name a few. Getting every one of those components to line up with your own personal timing is like trying to hit a bull’s-eye from the back of a bucking horse. It’s nearly impossible!
The Current Housing Shortage
There is currently a nationwide shortage of houses available to meet the demand of buyers ready, willing, and able to buy homes. In fact, across the country, most sellers have received multiple, competitive, over-asking-price offers within just a few days of listing their home.
Several factors have contributed to the current housing inventory deficit. First, already low interest rates went even lower, spurring a lot of buying and refinancing activity. Then, droves of Millennial buyers popped up out of nowhere, finally ready to put down some roots after years of dealing with increasing rental rates. The pandemic caused many people to reconsider their housing needs and location too. Lastly, listings are down slightly because sellers hesitated to put their homes on the market over pandemic-related safety concerns or fear they would not find a replacement property if their home sold.
The market responded just as your economics professor taught you it would. When supply is low and demand is high, prices rise. According to the National Association of Realtors, home prices have increased approximately 20% nationally over the previous year.
Many would-be buyers are wondering if they should wait until prices decline before jumping in. But the reality is that waiting for downward pricing could take a while—quite possibly years.
When To Buy?
There are many factors involved in deciding if now is a good time to buy a home. If you think it might be, there are three important “next steps” to take. First, choose a lender you trust who is willing to spend time exploring the different loan programs that fit your needs. Next, work with an experienced realtor who sincerely wants to help you buy the right home— not just sell you a property. And lastly, in this competitive market, don’t get swept up in the urgency and make an offer that erodes your ability to thoroughly evaluate the home before you close on it.
“Presently, a deficit of housing inventory exists. There are fewer homes on the market than demand by almost two months depending on your area.”
Roxanne Hale began her real estate career in residential new construction over 20 years ago in San Antonio, Texas. She quickly became one of the top-selling new home professionals for the largest publically traded home builder in the United States. Roxanne then spent three years as the National Sales Trainer for D.R. Horton. Today, she is the broker and owner of Art House and enjoys training her team to assist clients in buying and selling properties in Birmingham.
If you’ve ever wanted to play golf in the Scottish Highlands but just haven’t booked the flight, take a drive to McLemore Club to quench your wanderlust. Located atop Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia and surrounded by thousands of acres of protected wilderness, state parks, and national parks, the getaway offers breathtaking views and an 18-hole championship course designed by internationally acclaimed architects Rees Jones and Bill Bergin. Planned in order to take in the natural topography, the mountain course is equally challenging and beautiful. The 18th hole, carved into the edge of a cliff, has been named the best finishing hole built since 2000 by Golf Digest and ranks in the top 10 best finishing holes in the world, according to Links magazine.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
McLemore Club offers hiking and mountain biking trails, bouldering and rock climbing routes, and breathtaking waterfalls, as well as wedding and event venues. A songwriter series features Grammy-winning performers May through October. Future plans call for additional amenities, including a full trail system, spa, fitness center, tennis and pickle ball, a club pool, and more.
OOEY, GOOEY CINNAMON ROLLS. BROWN SUGAR MONKEY BREAD ROLLS. PIZZA ROLLS. ORANGE ROLLS. Let’s face it, rolls of any kind are hard to resist. Katie Cornutt sure figured that out when she launched her Rolls Bakery back in March 2019. At the time, Katie was looking for solace in between round-the-clock feedings of her newborn, Lyla, who was born with a severe heart defect. Encouraged by a roll-loving neighbor to “just start an Instagram page,” Katie took the leap, launched a brand, and never looked back.
“Live and love to the fullest. We are not promised tomorrow. Make the best out of every situation. Live intentionally and with generosity.”
You left behind the world of real estate to become a full-fledged, small-batch producer of some pretty tasty baked goods. What prompted that change?
When I was 22 weeks pregnant with my daughter, Lyla, I learned that she has a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning she would be born without a left ventricle of her heart. Doctors and surgeons at Children’s Hospital told me she would need several open-heart surgeries to survive. Once she was born, her feeding schedule meant that my work schedule had to change. My son, Lennon, was the one who encouraged me to make my Grandma Schumm’s rolls recipe, which always brought everyone some comfort.
What does it mean to have your business here in Birmingham?
Birmingham has had our heart from the beginning because it feels like family! They have cheered us on and been there for us every step of the way with my Lyla. The support from our customers and other local businesses has been a huge help. Children’s Hospital has also been an important part of this story. We make a special Lyla Roll with fancy unicorn sprinkles, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Lyla Rolls goes directly back to Children’s Hospital.
What keeps you pushing forward?
Lyla’s situation certainly gives me perspective. I kept thinking, “If my baby can fight like this, I really have no excuse. I need to step up to the plate and fight too.” I should add that my dad is my greatest mentor. He has been successful in his career while balancing caring for a sick wife throughout his marriage to my mom. I still stand in awe of how he could make it all work. His strong faith, servant’s heart, and generous spirit are what make him who he is. I want to be just like him when I grow up!
Where can readers find all the amazing rolls you are churning out?
We are so proud to be carried in six local Piggly Wiggly locations, as well as in stores in Mississippi and Tennessee. We had a storefront location in Homewood but found we could grow our business better by focusing on wholesale production. Customers can also place orders on line for local delivery or shipping. We also do catering. Our single-serve rolls are a huge hit at wedding receptions, baby showers, and anywhere else people like to enjoy something sweet and homemade.
As a busy mom, what’s your favorite mom hack when it comes to serving rolls?
I like to thaw the rolls in the refrigerator overnight and then the next morning, I can pop one in a mini-waffle maker ($10 at Target!) so the kids can be eating a hot cinnamon roll in under five minutes.
A city founded on iron and steel in the late 1800s, Birmingham offers a historic downtown community that is entering a new era of economic and residential growth. An industry shift from steel mills and furnaces to healthcare and finance has sparked a renaissance for the Magic City with revitalization and restoration projects breathing new life into historic buildings and surrounding streets. This hidden gem of the South has become a destination for foodies, lovers of the arts, sports fans, and more.
Arts & Culture
The iconic Alabama Theatre, built in 1927, is one of the country’s last operating movie palaces, offering classic movie series that begin with sing-alongs to the theater’s “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ. The neighboring Lyric Theatre (1914) was recently restored and offers a more intimate concert experience. And in the historic Carver Theatre, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame immortalizes legendary jazz greats who hail from the state, including Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole.
For bigger events, the Birmingham- Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) features exhibition halls and ballrooms, along with the Legacy Arena, the Concert Hall, and the Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Looking to satisfy your creative side? The Birmingham Museum of Art has more than 24,000 objects in its collection that represent Asia, Europe, America Indigenous cultures, Africa, Pre-Columbian culture, and more. And if you’re more of a sports nut, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame allows visitors to take a walk through the state’s sports history. From Jesse Owens and Willie Mays to Hank Aaron and the late Paul “Bear” Bryant, this venue covers them all.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a Smithsonian Institution-affiliated cultural and educational research center that promotes the understanding and significance of civil rights developments in the city. In addition, the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail winds through the city, including stops at Kelly Ingram Park and 16th Street Baptist Church.
Parks & Entertainment
The Uptown entertainment district features a variety of restaurants, as well as Top Golf. From the district, visitors can easily walk to the BJCC, Protective Stadium, and Birmingham’s new CityWalk, a system of recreational parks underneath the I-59/20 corridor. While portions of the CityWalk are still under construction, it will ultimately offer pickle ball courts, a skate park, green spaces, and more. Railroad Park, adjacent to Regions Field, connects Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus and offers a 19-acre green space and venue for local recreation, concerts, and cultural events.
The entrance to the Rotary Trail features a 46-foot-tall sign which reads “Rotary Trail in the Magic City.” It’s modeled after the historical “Birmingham the Magic City” sign. Although only a half mile, the trail stretches from 20th Street to 24th Street and links city attractions. Just outside of downtown, Red Mountain Park offers 1,500 forested acres that include 16 miles of multiuse trails.
Dining & Nightlife
Second Avenue and Morris Avenue offer some of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars, including nationally-acclaimed Helen. Nearby Pepper Place features an eclectic mix of interior design shops and restaurants housed in an old Dr. Pepper syrup plant. During the spring and summer, the Pepper Place Market hosts an outdoor farmers market every Saturday. And for a bird’s-eye view of the city, The Elyton’s hotel rooftop restaurant, Moon Shine, is the place to be.
Housing
Many of the residential buildings that make up the downtown area are mixed-use facilities that house offices, coworking spaces, hotels, and restaurants, along with condos or apartments. The two main players when it comes to Northside living are the Second Avenue arts district and the historic Morris Avenue district. A prime location on Second Avenue North is the City Federal Building, a fixture in the city’s skyline with its neon, red signage. Now home to 27 stories of condominiums, the neoclassical building was constructed in 1913 and was, at the time, the tallest building in the Southeast.
At the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North, the John Hand Building is one of the city’s four early skyscrapers that make up the “Heaviest Corner on Earth.” Completed in 1912, the structure is now a mixed-use high rise with upper floors that house highly- sought-after condos. A new combination of condos, restaurants, and retail spaces makes up the Mercantile on Morris, a 14,000-square-foot, upscale, mixed- use project in the heart of one of the city’s most walkable and iconic avenues. Nearby at 1st Avenue and Morris is Founders Station, a newly renovated mixed-use condominium building by Orchestra Partners.
Note from the Mayor
“Birmingham is a city brimming with history, opportunity, and progress. As the nucleus of our state’s economic center, were main especially committed to revitalization and supporting our thriving, small- business community. Our medical community is world-renowned for its innovations, and our food scene has repeatedly received worldwide acclaim. Birmingham’s legacy is the city that changed our world, and that spirit continues to guide us as we embrace public- private partnerships and regional cooperation to make the Magic City shine even brighter.”
—Mayor Randall Woodfin Birmingham
What’s New
The city’s new arena, Protective Stadium, debuted in the fall of 2021 and is home to The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Blazers football team, the Birmingham Legion FC soccer team, and a variety of events throughout the year, including a recently sold-out Garth Brooks concert.
RESIDENTIAL SNAPSHOT (Q2)
Total Sales: 1,199 Active Listings: 1,549 Median Selling Price: $231,500 Days on the Market: 20 Data courtesy Greater Alabama MLS
Highland Park Golf Course is an 18-hole public course surrounded by historic neighborhoods and downtown views. GOLF magazine rated it as a“Top 100 Value Courses in the U.S.” and among “The 30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America.” Elevation changes, winding creeks, and lakes add natural character.
Red Mountain Community
Dotted with historic buildings overlooking the city, the Red Mountain Community was constructed to offer the convenience of urban living with a suburban feel. The neighborhoods of Redmont Park, Highland Park, Forest Park, and the Lakeview District are each known for their quaint culture, local shops, and ample green space.
With Caldwell Park as its front yard, the Virginia Samford Theatre, originally constructed in 1927, is a Romanesque playhouse that sparked the rich culture of performing arts in the city. The organization hosts productions, educational programs, and more.
Neighborhoods:
Just south of Altamont Way and north of Mountain Brook, Redmont Park stretches along the ridge of Red Mountain from Vulcan Park on the southwest to Crestwood South. It also includes Key Circle and the Altamont School, a college preparatory day school with coeducational enrollment of grades 5–12. Homes styles include Tudor, Spanish Revival, Classical Revival, English Cottage, and Dutch Revival. Smaller, cottage-style homes are found along 21st Avenue.
Forest Park, closer to the city center, features tree-studded and sidewalk-filled neighborhoods with more of the historic grand home styles, along with many Craftsman cottages.
Highland Park winds along Highland Avenue, connected by a series of pocket parks including Hanover, Caldwell, Rhodes, and Rushton parks. A mix of historic homes, apartments, and condominums provides residences in the eclectic neighborhood. Homes in these three neighborhoods are zoned for Woodlawn High School and also have nearby private school options.
When looking for a property in the area, expect to find a number of homes with backstories. This area is filled with historic properties, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.
A few buildings on the register can be found in the Highland area, including Avalon Condominiums, a three-story, gabled residential structure built in 1926 overlooking Rushton Park. Near Hanover Circle is the original Claridge Manor apartments, built in 1924 in the Colonial Revival style.
Rojo, a long time favorite lunch, dinner, and cocktail spot featuring a festive atmosphere with both Latin and American cuisine, offers indoor and sidewalk seating.
Known for its nightlife and dining, the Lakeview District includes hotspots such as Carlile’s BBQ. A number of other local culinary favorites can be found here, from casual dining at Slice Pizza to James Beard Award-winning Automatic Seafood and Oyster House to the trendy Trim Tab Brewing Company.
Vestavia Hills
Operating under the motto “A Life Above,” the City of Vestavia Hills sprawls along the top of Shades Mountain and beyond. Neighborhoods stretch across Highway 280 to Liberty Park, providing ample space to shop, dine, and play.
Vestavia Hills Neighborhoods
Roughly 35,000 people call Vestavia Hills home, but that number seems to be growing every day. The city spreads across corridors, connecting Liberty Park, Cahaba Heights, The Summit shopping center, the Rocky Ridge neighborhood, and Highway 31. Each area offers unique dining, eating, and shopping experiences.
Established in 1991, the Liberty Park side of town features 4,000 acres of rolling hills and access to the Cahaba River. The Cahaba Heights area was annexed by Vestavia Hills in 2002 and has been a huge economic boon to the city with its shops, business offices, local conveniences, and dining experiences. The city recently announced plans to develop a master vision for the area which will give it a more cohesive and well-considered feel.
Vestavia’s newest business district has grown around Lifetime Fitness and features local and chain restaurants with plans for new apartment and condominium complexes and neighborhoods currently being built.
Between Highway 280 and I-459, the Rocky Ridge entertainment district sits among single-family homes and developed communities, such as Tanglewood. The area features boutiques, restaurants, a grocery store, and more.
Homes along Shades Crest and surrounding streets offer coveted views and healthy lot sizes.
The 34,000-squre-foot “Library in the Forest” is located on nine acres of property on Highway 31 in Vestavia Hills. This project is Alabama’s first LEED Gold-certified library. This state-of-the-art facility includes a “living roof,” which is an observation deck that suspends over an outdoor classroom area. Vast expanses of glass open up the facility to its natural surroundings. Much of the wood used in the building for millwork and doors was reclaimed from the original wooded site.
What’s New
For nearly a decade, Vestavia Hills has been fine-tuning and implementing a Community Spaces Plan that continues to enhance the city’s sense of community and its green spaces. Recently completed projects include:
• Cahaba Heights Park, a 10-acre park located behind Vestavia Hills Elementary School Cahaba Heights that features four turfed ballfields, a field house, batting cages, and an inclusive playground.
• The “new” New Merkel House, is a one- story facility for the city’s seniors located next to Cahaba Heights Park. It is more accessible than the previous building and includes larger gathering spaces.
• In Liberty Park, the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex offers a splash pad and playground, as well as new courts for pickleball and futsal.
• With the first few phases under its belt, Wald Park is now restructured with a state-of-the-art baseball complex, two playgrounds, an event lawn, and an amphitheater. In addition, a Miracle League Field was installed in the baseball complex, fully accessible to accommodate children, teens, and adults with disabilities. Newly reopened in 2020, the Wald Park aquatic complex now features a leisure pool and competition pool with sun decks, covered concessions, and locker rooms. The final phase for the park is on the horizon and will include the addition of a multi-court, tennis-and-pickleball complex with a pavilion, a dog park, and a walking trail.
• Nearing the end of its construction is the new Vestavia Hills Civic Center, a fully-renovated facility adjacent to Vestavia Hills City Hall and walkable to Wald Park. The 100,000-square- foot, multipurpose building includes recreation courts, an indoor walking trail, meeting and event space, a 10,000-square-foot banquet hall with warming kitchen, and office spaces. It will also house the Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame.
Schools
Established in 1970, the award-winning Vestavia City Schools system features nine facilities—five elementary schools, two middle schools, a new freshman campus for ninth graders, and a high school. It is one of the top five school systems in the state (Niche.com).
Housing opportunities
The hills of Vestavia are filled with single- family homes, along with multi-family complexes and townhomes that are concentrated around Highway 280 near Rocky Ridge and Cahaba Heights and along Highway 31.
Located off I-459 and Liberty Parkway, Liberty Park is a planned community that features neighborhoods in a natural setting with single-family and apartment homes, recreational fields, parks, office buildings, and more. On March 14, the Vestavia Hills City Council approved Liberty Park developers’ plans for The Bray, which will include 600 single-family homes and a 102,000-square-foot commercial development with restaurants, retail and office spaces, and a hotel.
RESIDENTIAL SNAPSHOT (Q2)
Total Sales: 237 Active Listings: 278 Median Selling Price: $495,000 Days on the Market: 7 Data courtesy Greater Alabama MLS
Nestled among its many trees, the City of Mountain Brook was incorporated in 1942 with a mission to carry on the vision of the area’s first developer, Robert Jemison, Jr. With architecture that harkens back to the old-world charm of the 1920s, this upscale city, dotted with sprawling country club golf courses, offers first-class dining and boutique shopping experiences in a family-friendly atmosphere.
The Mountain Brook Villages
The City of Mountain Brook is defined by its quaint villages spread throughout the area, each with its own unique identity. Mountain Brook Village served as the heart of the community before the city was incorporated in 1942. Much of the architecture celebrates the old-world, European look of Robert Jemison, Jr.’s Mountain Brook Estates, established in the 1920s. These beautiful buildings house an eclectic mix of boutique shopping and dining experiences. Lane Parke, the newest extension of Mountain Brook Village, brings more shops and restaurants to the walkable neighborhood. And nearby, The Grand Bohemian Hotel plays to the city’s architecture and culture offering its own unique vibe.
Crestline Village is home to Mountain Brook City Hall, the Board of Education, the O’Neal Library, and more. With its iconic clock tower and historic Red Church Building that now houses the Steeple Arts Dance Academy, the village hosts numerous restaurants and shops, along with the Tot Lot playground.
Located where the City of Birmingham connects with Mountain Brook at the top of Red Mountain, English Village offers an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Enjoy the atmosphere of a French bistro at Chez Lulu, or sip an early evening cocktail in Vino’s gallery bar. Residents will also find shops, dining spots, and professional services near Cahaba Heights at two other villages—Overton Village and Cahaba Village.
Quality of Life
Mountain Brook City Schools is a K-12 public school system that includes four elementary schools, one junior high, and one high school. Typical enrollment is around 4,400 students, according to school officials. Beginning in October 2020, the school system’s Board of Education broke ground on a multi- phase construction project that includes upgrades to all of its six facilities.
The city’s walkability has increased with the introduction of more sidewalks that connect residents to green spaces, schools, and more, part of a capital project that began in 2017. Sidewalks along Overton Road connect the city’s all-inclusive playground at Overton Park to the Cahaba River Walk, which offers the city’s first dog park, as well as access to fishing, swimming, and kayaking.
Along Mountain Brook Parkway and tied in with the city sidewalk system, Jemison Trail is a 54-acre linear park that includes a three-mile walking trail that follows Shades Creek and connects with Watkin’s Trace Trail. Along the trail, visitors will find the historic Old Mill used in the city’s official logo.
Located off of I-459 behind Mountain Brook High School, Alabama Veterans Memorial Park is a 22-acre park that serves to honor the state’s veterans of the armed forces. A memorial trail feature sculptures, memorial installations, and information plaques recognizing Alabamians lost to war, including a regiment of columns that honors the state’s Medal of Honor recipients.
Botanical Gardens and Zoo
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens features a collection of more than 10,000 plants spread throughout its 67.5-acre campus, which features more than 30 gardens. Year-round programming is available to plant lovers of all ages with summers offering camps for children.
The Birmingham Zoo is a 122-acre facility adjacent to Mountain Brook in the City of Birmingham and is home to approximately 550 animals. In recent years, the zoo has added the Henley Park Event Lawn and a state-of-the-art entrance experience, with plans for a new Asian Passage exhibit on the horizon.
Housing Options
While neighborhoods closest to the villages are more densely populated, the majority of the city is occupied by single-family homes on wooded lots. Condominiums, garden homes, and townhouses can be found in certain areas, especially near Mountain Brook and English villages.
Note from the Mayor
“Mountain Brook is a beautiful city of rolling hills, diverse landscapes, and magnificent homes. But that is not the best part. Our over 40 miles of sidewalks and trails make for a walkable city where you can easily stroll between our picturesque villages: Mountain Brook Village, Crestline Village, and English Village. There you will find a wide range of boutique shops, restaurants, and services. It certainly does not hurt that Mountain Brook is rated one of the safest cities in Alabama and is home to one of the top-rated school systems in the country.”
—Mayor Stewart Welch, III Mountain Brook
RESIDENTIAL SNAPSHOT (Q2)
Total Sales: 114 Active Listings: 149 Median Selling Price: $850,000 Days on the Market: 7 Data courtesy Greater Alabama MLS
Designed by Giuseppe Moretti, the 50-ton Vulcan statue overlooking the city from Red Mountain was cast in 1904 from local iron. Surrounding the statue is Vulcan Park and Museum, a 10-acre park with adjoining nature trail and a museum on site that immortalizes the world’s largest cast-iron statue while showcasing traveling exhibits.
Homewood
Under the shadow of Vulcan, Homewood is where small town meets big city with walkable neighborhoods and a top-ranking school system alongside boutique hotels, nationally-acclaimed antique galleries, and fine-dining experiences. From its historical Hollywood and Rosedale sections to the burgeoning West Homewood area, this diverse community mixes the best of both worlds.
Founded in 1841 as Howard College, Samford University is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It has survived two fires, The Civil War, The Great Depression and more. The campus covers around 247 acres and features Georgian- Colonial-style architecture. Samford currently accommodates approximately 5,758 students from 48 states and 22 countries.
Community First
The picturesque center of Homewood is its downtown shopping district, with boutiques, services, and renowned restaurants surrounding 18th Street. Locals and visitors can catch parades, community events such as “We Love Homewood Day,” and special celebrations such as the historical “Lighting of the Homewood Star”during the holidays. Favorite shops and eateries include Birmingham’s oldest independent bookstore Little Professor Bookshop, Savage’s Bakery, and the legendary Johnny’s Restaurant, helmed by Timothy Hontzas, a five-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef, South.
A step back in time, The Club, established in 1951, is a historic private club and venue atop Red Mountain that boasts one of the best views in the city. Formerly located in Brookwood Village, the Homewood Theatre recently relocated to the city center. Located at 1831 28th Avenue South, the theater is nestled into the SoHo Square development among a variety of boutiques and restaurants.
Sims Garden is a pocket garden that offers programming as well as daily self- guided tours. Located in the Edgewood neighborhood, the park honors its former owner Catherine Anville Sims, also known as the plant lady, who deeded her property in her will to the City of Homewood to be maintained as a botanical park.
Quality of Life
Homewood City Schools was ranked the number one school system in the state in 2021, according to Niche.com. Facilities include three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school which work together to “educate and empower all students to maximize their unique potential.”
In its 81st year, the Homewood Public Library offers one of the most comprehensive programming schedules in the area. Community neighbors frequent the city’s parks, not only for recreational opportunities but also for the many events hosted on their grounds throughout the year. Central Park, located by the Exceptional Foundation near Homewood’s downtown shopping district, features a playground and pavilion area, as well as an aquatic center. And across Green Springs Highway in the West Homewood neighborhood, Patriot Park features playgrounds, fields, an athletic complex, and an aquatic center.
Homewood Shades Creek Greenway, also known as the Lakeshore Trail, has plans to expand. It currently consists of three miles that run parallel to Lakeshore Drive along the floodplain of Shades Creek. Sights along the way include Homewood High School, Samford University, numerous office buildings, Target, and Fresh Market.
Housing Opportunities
Single-family homes in Homewood can be found throughout the area, while apartment and condo complexes are concentrated in downtown Homewood, on Valley Avenue, and along Green Springs Highways and Lakeshore Parkway.
The West Homewood area near Patriot Park is the up-and-coming neighborhood for young families. The West Homewood Neighborhood Association hosts gatherings throughout the year, most notably the popular West Homewood Farmer’s Market.
Edgewood is centrally located within the city, with walkable streets as well as shops and restaurants at the Edgewood Station development. Family and friends flock to the area evenings and weekends for outdoor dining and leisurely strolls.
Note from the Mayor
“What makes Homewood a great place to live? Community. Plain and simple. The fact that our great city has a top ranked school system, a major university, a hospital, and a wide variety of businesses makes this a one-stop shop for anyone who lives in or visits Homewood. Our sidewalk system allows residents to walk anywhere, and our parks and greenway trails are perfect for those looking to get outdoors.We have it all in Homewood, and we want people to have a wonderful experience while they are here!”
—Mayor Patrick A. McClusky City of Homewood
The historic Hollywood neighborhood was established in the 1920s and is still known today for its English Tudors and Spanish mission-style homes.
RESIDENTIAL SNAPSHOT (Q2)
Total Sales: 139 Active Listings: 155 Median Selling Price: $510,000 Days on the Market: 8 Data courtesy Greater Alabama MLS
The Greystone Golf and Country Club hosts the annual Regions Traditions every May, an event on the PGA Tour Champions. Photo by Lance Shores
Hoover
A young city with deep roots, Hoover is situated on the southern slope of Shades Mountain in Shelby County. Founded in 1967 across core neighborhoods of Bluff Park, Patton Chapel, and Rocky Ridge, the city offers glimpses of its past as a haven for indigenous tribes as well as for early settlers who flocked to the area for its coal deposits. The Hoover of today is vast, expanding across Highway 280 and growing a reputation for its picturesque, luxury communities and its world-class sports facility, the Hoover Met.
Photo by Lance Shores
Quality of Life
One of the top school systems in the state, Hoover City Schools was founded in 1987 and now includes 18 facilities serving K-12, with elementary schools, middle schools, two high schools, and the Riverchase Connection Center, a vocational training center for students to enter the workforce after graduation.
The City of Hoover is home to 25 parks and green spaces. This includes Moss Rock Preserve, a 349-acre nature preserve with hiking trails, rock climbing, waterfalls, and even a boulder field once used by native tribes as shelter during hunts. Veterans Park is one of the community’s gathering spaces for events, with 5K and 8K cross country courses, beach volleyball courts, pavilions, playgrounds, and recently announced plans for pickleball and fitness courts.
Historic districts that predate the city can be found throughout the community, including Shades Crest Road, once known as the Indian Wagon Trail, and Bluff Park. The Park Avenue Historical District includes 51 structures built between the early 21st Century to the post-World War II period.
Hoover is host to the Riverchase Galleria, the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama. Nearby is Patton Creek shopping center. And serving Hoover’s 280-corridor communities is Lee Branch, which features an 86-acre, open-air retail development with a movie theater, restaurants, and a grocery store.
In addition to the Hoover Met, the Hoover Rec Center features 75,000 square feet of services available for annual membership fees, including a fitness center, cardiovascular room, indoor track, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, locker rooms, nursery for ages six weeks to six years of age, game room, racquetball court, and more. For the community’s senior citizens, the Hoover Senior Center is an 8,000-square-foot building that offers art rooms, multipurpose rooms, a kitchen, a lounge, a sunroom, and an auditorium.
The Hoover Public Library has one of the highest circulations in the state and offers more than just programming and study services. The Library Theatre has hosted internationally acclaimed acts from around the world, including Grammy award-winning artists and national-touring performances.
The 30-acre Aldridge Gardens is the former property of Kay Aldridge and the late Eddie Aldridge, a well-known horticulturist who patented the Snowflake Hydrangea—the official flower of Hoover. Plant sales, art exhibits, shows, classes, bird walks, and more take place at the gardens.
What’s New
Following the recent renovation of the Hoover Met, the Stadium Trace Village at Brock’s Gap broke ground in 2017 and quickly filled with a variety of restaurants and retail stores. Currently under construction next door to Stadium Trace is the Village Green, an outdoor amphitheater complex that will include a stage, artisan market, playground, recreation area, wine and beer garden, and more.
At the beginning of 2022, the city announced that local land developer Signature Homes will be donating 43 acres of land in the Trace Crossings area. This is the first acreage of a planned 130- acre donation to be named Flemming Park and will initially consist of five miles of hiking and biking trails, a pavilion, and other amenities.
In March, the city council announced that a six-mile area from Highway 280 stretching close to Highway 119 has been designated for economic redevelopment. This will include three buildings to be built by Terra Equities for commercial use, as well as an area of land zoned for the construction of 120 townhomes to be built by Signature Homes.
Housing Options
The expansive Hoover community is home to a variety of housing. You’ll find numerous apartment buildings and townhomes, as well as many single- family homes in neighborhoods ranging from the historic and wooded Bluff Park and Patton Creek communities to newer, upscale private housing communities such as Lake Wilborn and Greystone.
Ross Bridge is a planned community that is also home to the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, a part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. It offers one of the longest courses in the world. But this community is more than just a place to practice your swing, with amenities such as miles of walking trails, swimming pools, a clubhouse, and the Ross Bridge Village Center with shopping, restaurants, and services. Homes throughout the neighborhood range in price from the upper $300s to more than $1 million dollar estates.
The Preserve features upscale homes and classic American architecture. The neighborhood offers picturesque views at the 8-acre Village Green with conveniences, restaurants, and shops available at the Town Center. And with its location adjacent to Moss Rock Preserve, The Preserve enjoys community and nature living.
Note from the Mayor
“Hoover is a great place to live for a number of reasons. And it’s no secret. In 2021, 24/7 Wall St., a financial news and commentary website, ranked Hoover as the “Best Place to Live in Alabama.” That ranking was based on several factors, including housing affordability, access to public spaces and services, the presence of entertainment and cultural amenities, low crime rates, and other socioeconomic conditions. While I agree with all of those factors, there are many more reasons that make Hoover a great place to live. For example, the quality of life in our city is top rate. Our school system is ranked as one of the highest in the state. Our library has received numerous national recognitions and awards. We are home to one of the largest shopping malls in the region. Our STEM-based business industry is growing at a steady pace. We have one of the most diverse populations in the state. And we are centrally located near multiple larger cities in the state and south east region.All of that, and still more ,make Hoover a great place to call home.”
—Mayor Frank Vincent Brocato Hoover
RESIDENTIAL SNAPSHOT (Q2)
Total Sales: 619 Active Listings: 690 Median Selling Price: $438,000 Days on the Market: 6 Data courtesy Greater Alabama MLS
Birmingham’s Highway 280 corridor may not have a core identity just yet, but thanks to the city’s relentless expansion across North Shelby County, formerly undeveloped land in the area has become host to some of the city’s elite planned communities. From Dunnavant Valley to Oak Mountain, there are plenty of pockets to escape the bustle of inner-city life and enjoy community at a slower pace.
Mt. Laurel
Your Neighbors Are…
When it comes to natural experiences, Oak Mountain State Park is hard to beat. As the largest park in the state with more than 11,000 acres of forest, it includes a golf course, a man-made lakeside beach with aquatic sports opportunities, campsites, and miles of trails to explore on foot, bike, or even horseback.
Formerly known as the Verizon Wireless Music Center, Oak Mountain Amphitheater identifies as the largest outdoor music venue in the state. For a family-friendly outing, head to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum to discover the history of Alabama’s locomotive industry. The museum hosts a popular series of holiday-themed train experiences throughout the year, but the most popular is its Polar Express event, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus, offered during the holidays.
The Summit shopping center opened in October 1997 and continues to serve as a shopping destination for the Greater Birmingham area, as well as surrounding counties. The one-million-square-foot, upscale lifestyle center is located at the intersection of Highway 280 and Interstate 459 and features multiple local and chain restaurants, a movie theater, and a mix of local, regional, and national retailers.
Shoal Creek
Quality of Life
Portions of the Highway 280 corridor are within Hoover City Limits, while the majority is zoned for the North Shelby County Schools in Chelsea and Oak Mountain. The area also hosts a variety of private school options, as well as the prestigious Indian Springs School, a co-ed boarding and day school that offers a rigorous curriculum for grades 8-12.
Created in 1988, the North Shelby Library was the first to provide library services to the area and currently serves a population of about 50,0000 people.
What’s New
A step forward in connecting the multi- faceted area, the Dunnavant Valley area on the Highway 280 corridor cut the ribbon on its first park. The 11-acre Dunnavant Valley Park officially opened in April and is located on the site of the former Mt Laurel Organic Garden. The park will connect to a nearby trailhead that provides access to 750 acres of hiking and mountain bike trails currently under development.
Shoal Creek
HIGHWAY 280 CORRIDOR COMMUNITIES
CHELSEA HIGHLANDS
Spread across 725 acres, Chelsea Highlands opened its second gated entrance off Highway 11 in 2018. The community currently has over 50 custom homes with plans for expansion. Residents love traveling the miles of paved roads on their golf carts with easy access to resort-like amenities: two fishing and canoe lakes with waterfalls, a timber-framed pavilion with stone fireplace, and a clubhouse and pool. The Highway 11 entrance will offer commercial lots for a future café, a service station, and possibly a grocery store.
GREYSTONE
This prestigious golf community, developed by Daniel Corporation in 1989 and completed in 2006, rests along Highway 280 in Hoover and boasts a 4,000-acre master plan that accommodates 3,000 homes and a country club with two championship golf courses. Beginning in May of 2022, Greystone will welcome the addition of The Cottages, located between St. Vincent’s One Nineteen and Church of the Highlands. The Cottages will be the community’s first build-for-rent development and will feature 189 units with sidewalks, parks, and open green spaces.
HIGHLAND LAKES
Featuring shady sidewalks, streets, and parks, Highland Lakes is a gated community that offers a variety of home designs that spread across more than 1,700 acres near Oak Mountain and includes four lakes stocked for fishing. In the community’s The Village subdivision, Harris Doyle Homes feature 28 custom-build designs to choose from.
INDIAN SPRINGS VILLAGE
Incorporated in 1990, Indian Springs Village is situated about 12 miles south of the Greater Birmingham metro area. The epicenter of the community is its Town Hall housed in a renovated farmhouse originally built in 1906.
MT LAUREL
A planned community in concert with nature, Mt. Laurel is a sustainable neighborhood that offers residents tree-lined streets, broad sidewalks, and unique quality of life offerings, including Mt. Laurel Elementary School, the Mt Laurel Library, green spaces, and a town center with shopping, restaurants, and services.
SHOAL CREEK
Located at the base of Double Oak Mountain in the Dunnavant Valley, Shoal Creek is a luxury gated community named for the creek that runs through its 1,500 acres. Opened in July of 1977, Shoal Creek’s picturesque clubhouse is a replica of the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg. In addition, the Shoal Creek Club’s golf course has hosted numerous national competitions, as well as the PGA Championship.
FARMS & LAND
While the 280 corridor is home to many established housing communities, there is also opportunity to purchase undeveloped acreage, as well as farmland.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham Alabama USA, water tower, furnaces and smoke stacks, blue sky with clouds
Avondale/ Crestwood/ Irondale
Over the past decade, the east side of the Birmingham metro area has taken on an entirely new culture, with Avondale becoming a hotbed of music, cuisine, and nightlife. Around the corner, the Crestwood neighborhood has felt an influx of young families renovating aging homes to breathe new life into the community, while nearby Irondale prepares to take on the overflow with plans to enhance its quality of life offerings.
Barber Motorsports Park has an international reputation and features a 2.3-mile road course. It hosts races and events regularly and operates driving schools. The park is also the home of the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama. In addition, the venue houses the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which boasts a collection of more than 1,200 vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars, as well as the largest collection of Lotus cars.
Out & About
A central area of nightlife, 41st Street South is Avondale’s main thoroughfare, lined with shops and restaurants. This part of town also features two of the city’s most popular music venues, Saturn Birmingham and Avondale Brewing Company.
The Alabama Beer Trail also begins in the Avondale neighborhood before creeping through the city’s suburban communities, ranging from Cahaba Brewing, located in the historical Continental Gin factory, down to Good People Brewing Co. by Regions Field. And nearby, the Shoppes of Crestwood is a community gathering space that represents the area’s culture, with an antique shop, Seasick Records, Crestwood Coffee Co., and more.
The Avondale Brewing Company is a 6,000-square-foot structure built in 1885. The building has served as a bunkhouse for railroad and mill workers, a bank, a wholesale confectionary, and a saloon. Since being restored and repurposed, it now serves as a brewery and events venue featuring live music and more.
Active Living
The east side of the city is filled with more outdoor experiences, from the Clairmont Walking Trail atop Red Mountain to nearby Ruffner Mountain. At the southern end of Avondale’s main thoroughfare is Avondale Park, a 37-acre green space originally home to the city’s first zoo. It is located next to the Avondale Library that includes an amphitheater, duck pond, and tennis courts. With just over 12 acres, Crestwood Park features a football-sized playing field, jogging track, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a playground. And for those looking for a family- oriented recreational and educational facility, The Levite Jewish Community Center is open to the entire community. It offers an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, a hiking and biking trail, and an outdoor pool.
While Irondale has its eyes on future enhancements, a piece of its past remains in the Irondale Café, also known as the Original Whistle Stop Café of Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes.
Housing Options
This area of the city is filled with bungalow-style homes, perfect for young or small families. Look for post-war, bungalow-style homes and midcentury ranchers. Wanting something newer? The Heights is a built-to-rent community that will be coming to Irondale near the Grants Mill Corridor.
The Southside of the City of Birmingham is home to the well-established, eclectic Five Points neighborhood, as well as the burgeoning Parkside District. While conveniently located to everything in the downtown’s Northside, each district takes its own spin on the city’s history to forge a unique identity.
Located in the city’s Parkside district, The Pizitz is a historic structure that has become a popular residential building. On the city’s ground level is a food hall featuring 10 food stalls, as well as restaurants, a bar, and shops. Take the stairs down to the basement and you’ll find the city’s premiere independent cinema, Sidewalk Cinema, owned and operated by the organization that annually hosts the Sidewalk Film Festival.
History & Character
The Five Points South neighborhood was founded in 1893 and is one of Birmingham’s longest-standing successes. There is something for everyone at the neighborhood’s intersection, which bustles under the shadow of Highlands United Methodist Church, a Spanish- revival style sanctuary circa 1909. In front of the church is the iconic Storyteller fountain, created by the late Frank Fleming, a nationally-recognized Birmingham artist. Popular for its culinary prowess, Five Points is home to favorites such as Highlands Bar and Grill, Chez Fonfon, Ocean, Hot & Hot, and Dreamland BBQ.
Between Northside and Southside is Regions Field, home to the Birmingham Barons baseball team. And adjacent to the field is Railroad Park, the city’s 19-acre green space.
A nod to the area’s proximity to the historic theatre district, Red Mountain Theatre has constructed its first campus next door to Regions Field. Here, the Tony Award-winning company of actors and students study and produce theatrical performances.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is sprawled across Southside and includes a world-renowned teaching and research hospital. Affiliated with the university is the Alys Stephens Center, home to the Alabama Symphony.
What’s New
The growing Parkside area is welcoming two new offerings carved out of historic warehouses. The Powell Avenue Steam Plant, originally constructed in 1895 to provide steam heat to downtown buildings and trolley cars, will be renovated into a large entertainment venue. With a mission to improve area walkability, a redeveloped warehouse will be home to Urban Supply, a mixed-use facility that will hold culinary offerings, shops, and office space.
Housing Options
Historical buildings and single-family homes are in high supply where the Southside reaches the Red Mountain communities. Near the Highland Park Overpass, next door to Frank Stitt’s Bottega Restaurant, is the historic Highland Plaza Condominium building, built in 1924. Across the street, Highland Towers condo complex, the former location of the Birmingham Weekly offices, rises high above Freddy’s Wine Bar. And The Capri is an eight-level luxury condo tower overlooking the city near Redmont and Highland Park.
Built in 1910, Printer’s Corner is a former industrial printing warehouse that is currently being renovated into custom lofts. The New Ideal Lofts is an adaptive re-use development that offers upscale housing. The 1908 building was originally home to the Ideal Department Store and later Sears.
Countertops and backsplash of Montclair Danby marble from Triton Stone Group add to the kitchen’s bright, all-white color scheme. Brass pendants over the island complement the library sconce above the farmhouse sink. A white oak cabinet offers a bit of contrast to the palette. Photography by Jean Allsopp
Building a home was top of the bucket list for Kelsey and Carey Davis since the day they got married. “Every Sunday we would drive around to look at homes and talk about what we’d build,” says Carey. “That was our fun thing to do.” Those weekly drives paid off when the couple made the lot-purchasing plunge and began designing their dream home.
From the beginning, the couple was like- minded in their must-have list. At the very top was a traditional style with a layout that was open yet included intentional, well-defined spaces. Another prerequisite was functionality—without compromising on form and finishes. “We knew we wanted to start a family soon, so the space needed to be designed for a family,” Kelsey says. “We wanted it to be pretty yet livable with classic finishes.” Thanks to architect Scott Carlisle’s vision and interior designer Shea Bryars’ elevated eye for design, the Davises were able to check all of those boxes—and then some.
Top Left: The rich warm finishes in the hearth room were inspired by the Davises’ recent trip to Europe. Here, the couple enjoys catching up fireside in a pair of velvet wingback chairs accented with plaid pillows. Bottom Right: To continue this English gentlemen’s club look from the Hearth room, designer Shea Bryars wrapped the adjacent powder room walls in a large-patterned wallpaper from Cole & Son.
Starting with a large foyer, Scott created an open concept for the main floor. Each space connects to one other through arched openings and is further distinguished by various ceiling treatments such as cedar beams and pecky cypress. In addition to the main living areas, Scott also designed spaces for respite, such as the keeping and hearth rooms.
To meet the couple’s functionality needs, Scott added graciously-sized, task-focused rooms, such as a butler’s pantry and a separate laundry room with a shower just for the family dogs, Gus and Allie. And to provide easy accessibility to the outdoors, the architect incorporated doors wherever possible, including in the master bedroom where they lead directly to the backyard.
Top Left: The silver canopy bed inspired the white, beige, and silver color palette in the master bedroom. A bench from Stock & Trade creates a comfortable spot to slip shoes on or off—or for Gus, one of the family’s dogs, to lounge. Top Right: Two sets of French doors open onto a covered outdoor room that extends the living space in warm weather. Along with the cedar beams, well-placed accents such as the brown leather chairs and rustic console table provide warmth to the family’s main hangout space. Bottom Right: The master bathroom provides plenty of room with storage for two.
Shea added details and finishes that ensure the new home’s design balances out the couple’s traditional aesthetic. While most walls are covered in Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, the designer injected color in the hearth room by painting paneled walls in Jack Pine (Benjamin Moore). Fabrics were thoughtfully chosen to be durable enough for an active, growing family. For example, a performance fabric gives the classic camel sofa its linen look. And because it’s slipcovered, it is easily washable. The same linen-look fabric was carried over to the keeping room for the swivel chairs. And in the main living spaces, Shea relied on leather upholstery for easy care. “We are amazed at how the interiors combine functionality with beauty,” Kelsey says. “And it all feels so cozy.” For this young family, it strikes the perfect balance.
“The biggest compliment we get is when friends who come visit for the first time tell us how homey it feels.“
Kelsey Davis
Left: The dining room serves as the formal eating area when friends and family visit. Tufted linen chairs dress up the custom-made, white oak table, while the brass chandelier provides a bit of shine. The Oushak rug from LillieKat Rugs features pops of blue, periwinkle, green, and coral that tie the space together with the living room. Right: The keeping room just off the kitchen offers a brighter counterpart to the hearth room thanks to light upholstery and window treatments.
To make the home’s exterior feel as classic and timeless as the interior, architect Scott Carlisle chose a traditional, non-painted brick featuring a reddish hue and accented with cedar beams at the front entry.
AS MOST ENTREPRENEURS WILL TELL YOU, when you’re committed to your passion, you’ll find the time to dedicate to it. For many who are in the nascent stage of establishing their businesses, those hours fall outside of their regular full-time work schedule. For salsa man Jimmy Brogden, those late-night hours inspired the name of his company, After Midnight Salsa Company.
“Always try to do everything right the first time. If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it again?”
Jimmy Brogden
What makes Birmingham the perfect place for After Midnight Salsa Company?
I’ve lived in a lot of different places, but Birmingham has the best conglomeration of the best chefs in the country. This is a foodie town, and people really support one another here. I have seen that firsthand at Pepper Place.
How did you get your start?
I started making salsa to bring to potluck lunches when I worked in the corporate world. The ladies went crazy for it, telling me I needed to sell it, so I finally did.
We’ve been selling at Pepper Place Market since 2012. We’re now entering our 10th season there, and the market has been really, really good to us.
Your salsas have some funny but memorable names.
My salsas are made fresh without any preservatives or any ingredients you can’t pronounce. A friend of mine tried my original salsa, but she claimed to be a sissy and needed it to be milder, so I named that one Sissy Salsa. My buddy Joseph likes things really hot, so I called that one Lava Joe. And the one in the middle? Well, I just call that Fire in the Hole.
What is a saying you keep in mind when you think about being a small-batch maker?
I always say that it is the customers who build the business; we just do the work. I think if you keep that perspective, everything else falls into place.
