BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) – Development and redevelopment downtown is viral.
Another empty and trashed building in Southside will soon see a new life. The old Birmingham Electric Battery Company is about to get recharged and the new development will be called The Battery.
It’s going to be all about entertainment.
Inside you will find a new brewery called the Birmingham District Brewing Company, a new restaurant called Gus’ Fried Chicken and a live music venue called The Syndicate Lounge.
Gus’s World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken originally started in Mason, Tennessee and this will be the first location in Alabama.
The Birmingham District Brewing Company will have its first taproom in The Battery. One of the seven owners of the brewery, Cale Sellers says they are thrilled to open in The Battery.
“We feel it (the brewery) is a great connection to the history of Birmingham. The Birmingham District name comes from the state’s first geologist, Michael Tuomey. He named the area for its abundance of coal, iron ore, and limestone, the three most important materials for making steel,” Sellers explained.
As a geologist, I thought this would be a nod to the rich history of Birmingham mining industry. We have a great team, and we are very excited to add to Birmingham’s already great craft beer culture,” he continued.
Right outside the brewery, developers plan to knock out some walls to build a courtyard. Then across the courtyard, you will find Longtime Birmingham live music venue The Syndicate Lounge. The Syndicate Lounge’s longtime location on 20th Street will be demolished which is why they are relocation to The Battery.
Brent Godwin with the Birmingham Business Journal says developments like this are what retail is shifting into, as those big box stores are closing.
“More organic kind of retail spots that are actually opening,” Godwin explained.
Ward Neely with SRS Real Estate says people are looking for more unique spaces to have their business.
“As far outside of the box you want to go people like it,” Neely stated.
As the growth spreads, it connects all the different areas.
“I don’t see anything that is holding this area back right now,” he predicted.
Construction is set to begin in the next couple weeks and things should start opening in the spring.