Demolition work has started on the site of an upcoming mixed-use apartment, condo, retail and restaurant development in Birmingham's Lakeview neighborhood, Engel Reality announced on Tuesday.
The former Davis School located at 4th Avenue South and 29th Street is being demoed to make way for the development called Lakeview Green. The property is located one block from Pepper Place.
Jenn Ansley, vice president for Engel Realty, said demolition is expected to take approximately two months. Construction will start immediately after, she said.
Engel Realty is the property management company.
KRE Development Holdings – the same developer behind the Iron City Lofts project – announced in July 2017 that the project would include a five-story building with 30 condos, 73 apartments, and 38,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
The apartments will be one- and two-bedroom units and the condos will be two- and three-bedrooms, with prices starting in the $300,000s.
Lakeview Green will also include a large public green space with koi pond, river and waterfalls.
The project is the first condominium development in the Lakeview area built during this decade, according to Engel Realty.
"Sales interest has been strong for the condominiums," said Virginia O'Hara, of ARC Realty. Sales are underway.
"This project is unique in that it provides a set of luxury amenities that no other condominium property in downtown provides," she said. "Additionally, the owners will be using sustainable building practices. Local craftsmen will salvage parts of the school then reuse them in different places around the project."
Martin Smith of SRS Real Estate, the commercial broker on the project, said he's receiving serious interest in the property from restaurants and retailers.
"We believe that there is no other retail or restaurant opportunity like this exists in downtown," he said. "This project has the unique mix of urban living and great amenities including a green space customers and residents can enjoy."