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

Phase I (opened Fall 1997)

• Abercrombie Kids
• Ann Taylor
• Apple Store
• Banana Republic (1997–present)
• Barnes & Noble (1997–present)
• Bath & Body Works
• Bebe
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Belk (2007–present)
• Ben & Jerry's
• Brooks Brothers
• Bruno's/Vincent's Market (1997–2009)
• Champ's Sports
• Chico's (1st location)
• Children's Place
• Clarks
• Crepes Egg-setera
• Coconuts Music & Movies
• Eddie Bauer
• Emma's Intimates
• Express
• Janie and Jack
• Johnny Rockets (1998–present)
• L'Occitane
• Lucky Brand Jeans
• MAC Cosmetics
• Michelson Laser Vision
• Mrs Fields Cookies & Pretzels
• Old Navy
• On the Border (1998–2007)
• Parisian (1997–2007)
• P. F. Chang's China Bistro (1998–present)
• Pier 1 Imports
• Private Gallery
• Regions Bank
• Restoration Hardware
• Romano's Macaroni Grill (1998–present)
• Sephora
• Smith & Hawken
• Summit 16 cinema (1997–present)
• Sweet Bones Alabama (2008–present)
• Talbot's
• Tavern on the Summit (1998–present)
• Victoria's Secret
• Wachovia Bank
• Williams-Sonoma
• Zöe's Kitchen (2002–present)

Phase II (opened Fall 2000)

• Bromberg's
• Chico's (2nd location)
• Fleming's Steakhouse (2002–present)
• Hair Reflections
• J. Crew
• 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)
• Tommy Bahama
• Village Tavern (2002–present)

Phase III (opened Fall 2001)

• ALDO
• American Eagle Outfitters
• Amy's Hallmark
• Baby GAP
• Bose
• Caché
• 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
• Pottery Barn
• Pottery Barn Kids
• Thomas Kinkade Gallery
• Urban Outfitters

Phase IV (opened Fall 2005)

• Anthropologie
• Aveda Experience Center
• Cheesecake Factory (2004–present)
• Coldwater Creek
• The Fitting Touch (2009–present)
• Francesca's Collections
• The Grape (2005–present)
• Gymboree
• J. Jill
• Kay Jewelers
• Lotus
• Merrell
• New York & Company
• Swoozie's (–2010)
• Venetian Nail Spa
• Vera Bradley
• White House Black Market

Phase VI (opened 2009)

• Bayer Properties (2005–present)
• BCBG Max Azria
• Brighton Collectibles
• Charming Charlie
• Flip Burger Boutique
• Gloss Premium Denim
• James Avery Jewelry
• Juicy Couture
• Sellers, Richardson, Holman & West (2009–present)
• Brownell Travel (2011–present)

References

• Kent, Dawn. (March 3, 2009) "Two metro projects signing up `best-in-class' tenants." 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