The Summit

This article is about the shopping center, for the toy company, see Summit Products.

The Summit is a pioneering retail shopping center developed in several phases by Bayer Properties beginning in 1997 at the intersection of Highway 280 and I-459 in the city limits of Birmingham. The International Council of Shopping Centers recognizes The Summit of Birmingham as the first contemporary "lifestyle center", a retail development term that signifies upscale open air shopping centers with landscaping and architecture intended to evoke a village-like atmosphere while keeping the convenience of close by parking at every shopfront.

The Summit's first phase was a half-million square-foot collection of 30 retailers and restaurants including Parisian and Barnes & Noble that opened in 1997. The 106,000 square-foot second phase added 20 retailers, including the Gap, in 1999. The 165,000 square-foot third phase was opened in 2001 with Saks Fifth Avenue. The 67,845 square-foot fourth phase opened in 2005 and includes some 20 to 30 additional retailers and restaurants and brings the center 846,403 square feet. A fifth expansion was completed in 2009, adding office space to the retail mix. Phase VI of the Summit

With the opening of the Summit, Bayer established the "Summit Children's Fund" as a charitable organization to support child welfare non-profits.

Bayer Properties has trademarked the brand "The Summit" and has developed similar properties under that name in Louisville, Kentucky; Reno, Nevada; and Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.

Tenants

The Summit in 2010

Phase I (opened Fall 1997)

200 Summit Boulevard

• Sugarboo Designs (opened November 2015)

201 Summit Boulevard

• Barnes & Noble (1997–present)
• #300: Smith & Hawken

205 Summit Boulevard

• #400: Brooks Brother

209 Summit Boulevard

• Bath & Body Works
• Trader Joe's (opened October 2, 2015), formerly Banana Republic (1997–2014)
• Victoria's Secret
• L'Occitane en Provence
• #400: Lucky Brand Jeans

211 Summit Boulevard

• #200: Williams-Sonoma

213 Summit Boulevard

• Brahmin (opened May 2015), formerly Janie & Jack (closed January 2015)

214 Summit Boulevard

• #350: Lululemon Athletica
• #400: Bevello (opened C. Wonder (closed 2014)
• #420: Madewell (opened October 2013)
• #550: Tin Drum AsiaCafé

215 Summit Boulevard

• Restoration Hardware

217 Summit Boulevard

• Apple Store (opened April 2007)

220 Summit Boulevard

• #150: Bebe

221 Summit Boulevard

• Parisian (1997–2007), Belk (2007–present)

225 Summit Boulevard

• #D2: Abercrombie Kids
• Ann Taylor
• Chico's (1st location)
• Clarks
• Crepes Egg-setera
• Emma's Intimates
• Kate Spade New York
• Lily Rain (opened March 2015)
• Tumi (opened August 2014)
• #97: The Art of Shaving (opened August 2014)
• #98: J. McLaughlin (opened October 2014)
• #99: Lilly Pulitzer (opened August 2014)
• #100: Calypso St. Barth (opened August 2014), formerly Tavern on the Summit (1998–January 2014)
• #101: Kendra Scott Jewelry
• #300: Eddie Bauer
• #350: Mrs Fields Cookies & Pretzels
• #1000: Athleta (opened May 2014)
• #1100: Sephora

233 Summit Boulevard

• P. F. Chang's China Bistro (1998–present)

240 Summit Boulevard

• #202: Baby & Kids (opened January 2016)

241 Summit Boulevard

• Romano's Macaroni Grill (1998–present)

243 Summit Boulevard

• Talbot's

245 Summit Boulevard (outparcel)

• Seasons 52, formerly On the Border (1998–2007), Sweet Bones Alabama (2008–2012)

250 Summit Place

• Fab'Rik (opened November 2014)

250 Summit Boulevard

• Suite 100: Alumni Hall (opened August 7, 2015), formerly Genghis Grill (closed January 2015)
• Suite 102: Urban Cookhouse

255 Summit Boulevard

• MAC Cosmetics

300 Summit Place

• Primeaux Cheese & Vino
• Sprout & Pour (opened August 13, 2015)

301-335 Summit Boulevard

• 301: Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia Bank)
• 305: Champs Sports
  • 305A: Children's Place
  • Orvis (opened June 20, 2014)
• 309: Old Navy
• 313: Bed Bath & Beyond
• 315: Coconuts Music & Movies / F.Y.E. Coconut's
• 317: Pier 1 Imports
• 321: Summit 16 cinema (1997–present)
• 323: Zöe's Kitchen (2002–present)
• 325: Pieology (opened August 27, 2015)
• 327: Michelson Laser Vision
• 329: Steel City Pops, former location of Ben & Jerry's
• 331: Johnny Rockets (1998–present)
• 335: Toys R Us (opened October 2011), formerly Bruno's/Vincent's Market (1997–2009)

241 Summit Boulevard

• Regions Bank

Phase II (opened Fall 2000)

105 Summit Boulevard

• LIME Fresh Mexican Grill (closed February 2015)

107 Summit Boulevard

• Private Gallery (closed January 2015)

139 Summit Boulevard

• Bromberg's
• Chico's (2nd location)
• Fleming's Steakhouse (opened 2002)
• Hair Reflections (closed November 2015)
• J. Crew
• Loft by Ann Taylor (opened 2012)
• Marcella Rugs of Distinction (opened 2016)
• Marmi Shoes
• Mary
• Mimi Maternity
• Moods (2009–)
• Mountain High Outfitters
• A Pea in the Pod
• Panera Bread Company (2003–present)
• Remon's
• Rosenberger's Birmingham Trunk
• Saks Fifth Avenue (2001–present)
• Sur La Table
• Tommy Bahama
• Village Tavern (2002–present)

Phase III (opened Fall 2001)

320 Summit Boulevard

• ALDO
• American Eagle Outfitters
• Amy's Hallmark
• Baby GAP
• Bose
• #100: Caché (closed December 2014)
• California Pizza Kitchen (2001–present)
• Campus Spirit
• Claire's
• Coach
• Everything But Water
• Halcyon Days Salon & Spa
• Fitness Together
• FranklinCovey
• GAP
• GAP Kids
• Greenhouse Day Spa
• Joe Mugg's
• Let's Get Organized
• Oli.O (opened August, 2015)
• Pottery Barn
• Pottery Barn Kids
• Abhi restaurant (2017-), formerly Thomas Kinkade Gallery
• #100 Urban Outfitters
• #200 West Elm

Phase IV (opened Fall 2005)

310 Summit Boulevard

• Aveda Experience Center
• Cheesecake Factory (2004-present)
• Coldwater Creek (closed 2014)
• The Fitting Touch (2009-present)
• The Grape (2005-present)
• Gymboree
• J. Jill
• Kay Jewelers
• Lotus
• Merrell
• New York & Company
• Swoozie's (closed 2010)
• Venetian Nail Spa
• #106: White House Black Market

214 Summit Boulevard

• #500: Vera Bradley

200 Summit Boulevard

• #400: Anthropologie
• Francesca's Collections

Phase VI (opened 2009)

• Bayer Properties (2005–present)
• Brighton Collectibles
• Gloss Premium Denim
• Banana Republic (2nd location, opened 2015)
• Vineyard Vines (opened 2012)
• The North Face (opened 2012)
• Sellers, Richardson, Holman & West (opened 2009)
• Brownell Travel (opened 2011)

216 Summit Boulevard:

• #105: Pinkberry (closed 2013)
• #120: Soft Surroundings (opened May 2016), former location of Express (closed November 2015)
• #130: Charming Charlie

220 Summit Boulevard:

• BCBG Max Azria
• Flip Burger Boutique
• #145: Michael Kors (opened 2012)
• #155: LUSH Cosmetics (opened May 2016), formerly Juicy Couture (closed March 2014)

220 Summit Place

• #170: James Avery Jewelry

References

• Kent, Dawn. (March 3, 2009) "Two metro projects signing up `best-in-class' tenants." The Birmingham News
• "Bayer goes vertical with new office space at The Summit." (March 27, 2009) Birmingham Business Journal
• Cooper, Lauren B. (April 16, 2009) "The Summit gets three new tenants." Birmingham Business Journal

External links

• The Summit website
• The Summit info package (PDF) at bayerproperties.com
• The Summit Story video at bayerproperties.com