2023 Building Birmingham Award Winners

We’re proud to announce that two of our projects were selected as winners in the 2023 Building Birmingham Awards by the Birmingham Business Journal. These awards recognize the projects that are changing the face of the Magic City and were chosen based on their impact, their degree of difficulty and unique aspects, among many other factors.

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Nextec

The long-vacant Nextec building in a neglected area downtown was originally constructed in 1927 date and served as the Edward’s Motor Company for many years. The 50,000-square-foot building has been restored to create flexible work offices and collaboration zones for early-stage companies and non-profit organizations.

Located a block from Innovation Depot, an incubator and accelerator for tech & bio-focused businesses, the design brings new vitality to this area of downtown with a carefully renovated historic facade, which utilized tax credits, and a new innovative interior design of office spaces for tech companies.

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Hoffman Media

This creative interior design solution which completely renovated the interior of the building creates a new home reflecting the company's brand and mission. As a special-interest publisher involved with print, online and interactive media, this renovation represents their generational opportunity to relocate from the suburbs and create a new home in the heart of Birmingham’s thriving downtown environment.

The new headquarters for Hoffman Media on Second Avenue North, dubbed “The Hoffice on Second”, includes a wide-reaching variety of spaces such as video production studios, photography studios, test kitchen, and related office space. Features throughout this new space, such as the test kitchen area, provide ample space for their creative endeavors and uniquely represents their inspiring brand and mission to enrich daily lives.

JSU Dining Hall Groundbreaking

Proud to be a part of the groundbreaking yesterday for the Jax State Dining Hall. Over two years ago this vision started and now this transformation celebration has begun, planning to open in the Fall of 2024 benefiting the current Jacksonville State University students and future students. This long-standing infrastructure enhancement moves JSU forward and signifies tremendous growth.

The new dining hall will offer a large dining space with new seating options creating a place where students want to gather and connect.

Arcadia Groundbreaking

We’re exited to announce the groundbreaking of The Arcadia this week in Huntsville, Alabama. Located in Cummings Research Park, directly across from the new Alabama School of Cyber Technology, The Arcadia is a six-story mixed-use project that once completed will include 12,000 square feet of office space, 7,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 250 residential units.

“This development will be a significant one for Huntsville and Cummings Research Park. We hope it acts as a catalyst for continued growth in the area.”

— Robert Jolly, chief executive officer of Retail Specialists

Interior Design Magazine: Best in Design 2022

Best in Design 2022

We're thrilled to be featured by Interior Design Magazine in their Best in Design 2022 issue featuring RMS.

“A financial investment firm specializing in timberland revamped its global headquarters, leveraging the surrounding dense woods as design inspiration. Offices feature glass fronts with sliding glass doors to enhance transparency and daylight. The AIA Award-winning design complements rather than competes with it’s outdoor setting.”

— Interior Design Magazine

2022 Top 40 Under 40 - Lauren Gwaltney

Lauren Gwaltney

Birmingham Business Journal - Top 40 Under 40

Congratulations to Lauren Gwaltney for being named as one of the 2022 Top 40 Under 40 from the Birmingham Business Journal. As a Senior Associate, Gwaltney, 39, has led many of the firm's adaptive reuse projects to sustainably restore vacant buildings downtown such as Cahaba Brewing and Dread River Distillery, which won recognition with American Institute of Architects design awards. As Director of Higher Education, she participated in and led the firm's higher education design on several high-profile projects at Auburn University, the University of Alabama, UAB and community colleges. She was responsible for the design and management of the new $27 million freshman gateway classroom building for Auburn University. She also was instrumental in founding a chapter of AIA Birmingham Women in Architecture.

Auburn University Will Soon Have a Presence in Downtown Birmingham

Auburn University’s College of Architecture Design and Construction (CADC) and Harbert College of Business has long held a presence in Birmingham – but it’s never had a permanent space. Now, with the assistance of a talented team at Williams Blackstock Architects (WBA), the Loveliest Village on the Plains will soon have a new home away from home in the City’s fast-developing downtown.

Currently dormant, the 44,000 sf Hood McPherson Building located on 4th Ave. N. will undergo a comprehensive renovation to prepare it for Auburn’s planned growth in the City of Birmingham. The former furniture gallery and warehouse will be modernized into a beautiful space for events, offices and classrooms, reflecting the University’s longstanding work with the City through CADC’s Urban Studio.

“Urban Studio has had such a presence in Birmingham, but this will really put them into the urban fabric and give them a space of their own,” said Auburn University Architect Mary Melissa Taddeo. “The focus is on expanding the footprint, and this is the first step in that direction.”

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Auburn’s Urban Studio and its work in Birmingham. Notably, the team at Williams Blackstock features several participants of the program who have continued their work in the city long after graduation.

“I would like to congratulate all of you on 30 years,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said. “But the work doesn’t stop now. And it won’t stop 30 years from now. Our mission of revitalization looms but we dance in parallel with the work you all do here. So, know that I feel that this city and this community will remain in good hands because of organizations like you.”

The adaptive re-use of the historic showroom and warehouse building will provide not only a permanent home for the College of Architecture Design and Construction, but also Auburn’s College of Business, and will hold space for events and offerings in Birmingham.

“This is not only an educational facility, but a place for the community and Auburn family to engage, collaborate and celebrate,” said Matt Foley, a principal at Williams Blackstock and Auburn graduate. “I expect it to be a place of experience and event that will be identifiably Auburn, a place that will generate memories and meaningful impact upon people’s lives.”

Auburn and WBA plan for the building to come alive along 4th Avenue North with a restored façade that includes a new modern entrance inspired by the original building canopy. In addition to spaces for study and collaboration, the building will feature flexible event spaces and galleries to support University functions and fundraising, including a video wall on the ground level to host Auburn watch parties.

“It’s a unique mashup of folks that may lead to creative opportunities and synergy,” Taddeo said. “It’s a game-changer.”

The Hood McPherson building will provide a presence for Auburn University in downtown Birmingham that has not previously existing, this will be a home away from the Plains for the University to host and display a commitment to education, innovation, and the betterment of our community. The investment will also bring this beautiful building back to life, adding to the growing energy in downtown Birmingham.

Building Birmingham Award Winners

We’re proud to announce that four of our projects were selected as winners in the 2022 Building Birmingham Awards by the Birmingham Business Journal. These awards recognize the projects that are changing the face of the Magic City and were chosen based on their impact, their degree of difficulty and unique aspects, among many other factors.

One Highland

One Highland Place was transformed into a prominent office building located on Highland Avenue in Birmingham, AL. The building’s full refresh starts with the repositioning of a dated office building into a fresh and impactful workplace. Taking a former plain, flat brick façade, the entry was transformed into a modern and impactful street presence. The vision started by using precast stone and glass additions to create a lighter, brighter more impactful environment.

The new building look sets a precedence for the commercial revitalization for the Highland Avenue Area. Although there are many businesses in the area, this grand new presence acts as a keystone for reinvigorating the area with a fresh new impact. Along with recent new developments, this impact is a catalyst for improving energy and revitalization of the area.

Telegraph

The design juxtaposes an ultra-contemporary office studio with industrial finishes and rustic wood elements.  The design provides innovative solutions to create an open office environment that sparks increased collaboration and creativity throughout the space with a stadium-seating meeting room, café, dramatic conference rooms, and cozy reading nooks. The project repurposes the existing space in a way that was going to be modern, flexible, and utilized modern materials for a dramatic and open environment.

The design for the new Telegraph office creates an ultra-contemporary studio achieved in a rustic, industrial setting. The vision was to create an informal work environment where employees could work and relax in the same space. One of Birmingham’s iconic landmarks is the Rainbow Tunnel, recreated in the hallway with recessed LED linear lights provide a unique landmark within the space

The Estelle

The Estelle sets a new standard for apartment living in Birmingham, with a design focused on placemaking and community building. Located at a crucial intersection between Lakeshore and Interstate 65, this new 280 unit living area connects downtown Birmingham, key retail areas and universities.

In a newly revitalized area, The Estelle provides the bridge between downtown and suburban living. Located on a burgeoning trail system that connects the area to local campuses and retail centers, residents are able to escape the hustle of city life and remain within easy walks to the new urban energy. 

Luckie

Luckie focused on moving its headquarters from the suburbs to the downtown Parkside area in an effort to envision their office for the next generation. Citing tremendous growth over the past few years, the company is now the primary commercial tenant in the historic Denham Building which has been redeveloped for mixed-use. The new space fosters a live-work-play environment for the employees as a model space in the Magic City.

To ensure employees thrive when collaborating in the office the new space was designed with the idea of where people will meet and not where they will sit. Designed to foster those interpersonal relationships, the new environment is completely open with Zoom and wireless setups and also include a video production space

2022 Who's Who in Building

Joel Blackstock

Birmingham Business Journal - Who’s Who in Building

Congratulations to Joel Blackstock for being named as one of the 2022 Who's Who in Building from the Birmingham Business Journal. The list recognize the individuals who are the top executives listed by the companies who are the largest local architecture firms, engineering firms and general contractors who help make the magic happen in the Magic City.

Groundbreaking held for State Veterans Home in Enterprise

On Friday a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for The Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise, Alabama. Perched on a gentle hill on 108 acres of sprawling farmlands, the facility will be a long-term state-of-the-art Veterans health care facility with approximately 182,000 square feet and house 175 residents.

"This is an exciting and fulfilling occasion for me, our community and the surrounding communities as well," said Mayor Cooper of Enterprise. "We will soon see more dirt turned, foundations laid, walls up raised, and rooftops silhouetted against a South Alabama sky. Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins State Veterans Home will be an absolutely lovely and functional facility - It will be beautiful sight in itself - But what we are really celebrating today is what this facility stands for."

The inspiration for the design was to honor the character and image of the town. Rustic farmhouses and historical homes with large front porches were primary elements incorporated into the design. The facility will have a contemporary farmhouse appearance with board and batten siding and stone accents. Fitting in to the rustic, rural area, large covered porches wrap each building within the facility allowing veterans to enjoy the sun or shade. Cupola’s rise atop each building to allow natural light into every entry way.

“This is a wonderful day for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and State Board of Veterans Affairs,” ADVA Commissioner Kent Davis said. “We are thrilled to have such a large crowd from the community to join us in beginning the process of building the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, which will serve as a wonderful home for many of our nation’s heroes in the Wiregrass.”

The Concord Center Time Capsule Opened

A 20-year-old time capsule was opened last week at The Concord Center building owned and managed by Cushman & Wakefield. Included in the time capsule was an original sketch of the design from our team and original renderings. The design paid homage to the original site building's 1889 Courthouse with twin pyramid-shaped glass spires in a neo-art deco design.

"We chose to give a nod to the historic Courthouse but with a modern, contemporary twist. The Concord Center has two towers with sleek glass pyramidal caps that light up at night to provide a dramatic image on the skyline. The other important thing about the design is it really embraces the street. A lot of the buildings down here that had been built in the 70s walled themselves off from the street. However, this building is full of glass and you can see into the lobby. ”

Joel Blackstock, CEO, Williams Blackstock Architects

“The Concord Center was made possible due to work between the City of Birmingham, the YMCA, the Birmingham Parking Authority and our team. We wanted to create a building that was street-friendly to pedestrians, featured artwork in the lobby and was overall a timeless design and worked with the existing architecture of our surrounding neighbors.”

Charles Simpson, Senior Vice President, Graham & Company